Craig Hodges

Australian Antarctic scientists wargame for spread of deadly H5N1 https://ab.co/4dqDHNj Australian Antarctic scientists are preparing for the potential spread of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza to Australia's Antarctic territory and sub-Antarctic islands, including Macquarie Island. The virus has already caused mass mortality in birds and mammals globally and is expected to reach these areas soon. The Australian Antarctic Division is conducting simulated emergency responses to ensure they are ready to manage an outbreak, which could have devastating effects on local wildlife. This is important to Landcare NSW because it underscores the significance of biosecurity and disease preparedness, both of which are crucial to protecting biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems. The spread of H5N1 could have far-reaching consequences beyond Antarctica, potentially impacting Australian wildlife and requiring coordinated responses from conservation organisations like Landcare.

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"Why the hangup about hung parliaments?" Why indeed! A sensible, intelligent crossbench can help make parliament function a hell of a lot better. To quote Allegra Spender: "It's about working together just like you would in business: polite, respectful and efficient" We find many people in the electorate of Forrest would love to be represented in that way: by a community independent representative who knows how to work hard, work well with others, and finds practical solutions moving forward. https://lnkd.in/gaZycmtK

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UN chief cites the promise and perils of dizzying new technology as 'AI for Good' conference opens - ABC News: UN chief cites the promise and perils of dizzying new technology as 'AI for Good' conference opens  ABC News http://dlvr.it/T7bncX #ai #artificialintelligence

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Empowering Australian Voters: From Passivity to Action #AustralianDemocracy, #EmpoweredVoters, #PoliticalEngagement, #PowerMode   Empowering Australian voters. Learn how Australian voters can transition from passive observers to active participants in democracy, shaping the nation’s future.   https://lnkd.in/gxxc5B5c

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Not everyday two of the major #auspol polling firms deliver their latest Federal politics analysis within the same MSM media cycle. Some very interesting polling data after one of the more fractuoua periods in Australian & western society for many years. RoyceComm Nine Newspapers & the Resolve Political Monitor paints a stark picture around cost of living biting alongside a sliding Labor primary vote, a firmer Coalition post Voice referenda l bounce still very strong > 1/3 of electorate 3rd party voting cohort. 2PP all square ALP 50 / Coalition 50.The Age Over at The Australian & the long-standing ‘Newspoll’ has similar trend lines but a stronger Labor primary (a 33% instead of a just 30%) & a retained 51/49% 2PP across party outcome. Three weeks out from the all-critical Federal Budget, technically the last of this first-term Govt as an election will be due by May 2025. The dynamics are widespread & increasingly fascinating. #ausbiz #politics #newspoll #elections2024 #labor #liberal #elections2025 #costofliving #inflation #budget2024 #australianpolitics #crime #socialorder

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The Deep State Influence on Global and Australian Politics #AustralianPolitics, #DeepState, #GlobalPolitics, #TransparencyInGovernment   Uncover how the deep state influence shapes global politics, including Australia’s policies, serving corporate and geopolitical interests.   https://lnkd.in/gzK66R7M  

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How Politicians Use Social Media to Control the Narrative #AccountablePolitics, #CitizenEngagement, #LetUsSpeak, #PublicVoice   Explore how Australian politicians control narratives on social media. Learn how citizens can demand real engagement for a more democratic society.   https://lnkd.in/g34dFE4y

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The latest population survey on Kangaroo Island show the little penguin colony has declined 70% since 2011, with some populations extinct. The alarming decline is thought to be caused by a combination of threats, including: predation, loss of habitat and invasion by weeds, climate change and food availability. Amidst the overall decline, there is a beacon of hope. In Emu Bay where community group Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network have been working hard to re-establish habitat by planting native vegetation and trialling different nest boxes, the population has increased by 20 birds over the past decade. It's a testament to the important role local communities play in conservation efforts. Other programs are in place - including an island-wide effort to remove all feral cats, and phase out domestic cats.

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NEW REPORT: From fake election claims, to violent hate speech, disinformation is poisoning our democracy. We are in Parliament today to call on the Albanese Government to hold big tech platforms accountable and keep people safe. Read our new report, Rights-First here: https://lnkd.in/gS6YW5rv

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🌐 For #InternationalDayofSignLanguages today, we want to celebrate the hard work of our friends over at the Iltyem-iltyem website, who provide data on Australian #Indigenous #SignLanguages, particularly from Central and Northern Australia. The website features a #SignLanguage dictionary containing over a thousand short films of signs from nine different language groups. There are also other related resources and news items. The sign language data comes from a project that began with Anmatyerr people from the community of Ti Tree. This led to the name of the website 'Iltyem-iltyem', which comes from the Anmatyerr word 'iltya' ('hand, finger'), and is used to mean ‘signalling with hands, using handsigns’. 🔗 Explore the Iltyem-iltyem website here: https://lnkd.in/ga-rggaf #InternationalSignLanguagesDay #SignLanguagesDay

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NZ FM speech laying out the changing geo-strategic environment facing NZ.

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RNZ and Pacific Media Network (PMN) will partner on a 12-month pilot to retain Pasifika talent in the industry and bolster coverage of Pasifika issues.   As part of the pilot, two Pasifika journalism graduates will join PMN for a year, with funding provided by RNZ.  RNZ Chief Executive and Editor in Chief Paul Thomson said RNZ’s funding of the pilot was consistent with the organisation’s commitment to deepening its connections with other public media entities and growing Pasifika audiences. “We have a strategic objective to foster a strong national identity by providing trusted content and reflecting the diverse communities of Aotearoa and talent retention schemes such as these allow journalists who work in their communities to continue to tell the varied stories of Aotearoa.” The pilot comes at a time when the Te Rito Journalism project cadet scheme is coming to an end and PMN Chief Executive Don Mann said it was vital that opportunities for the development of a pool of quality Pacific journalists continues. “We have more than 8 percent of New Zealand’s population identifying as being of Pacific ethnicity but less than 2 percent of journalists identify as Pacific.   “Developing a pipeline of excellent Pacific journalists is a core strategic objective of PMN, a function we have performed for over 30 years. Strategic partnerships like this one with RNZ demonstrates our collective commitment to the sector as whole.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gfPeaWFv #pacificmedia #publicmedia

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Australia’s Democracy Is It Democratic? #AustraliaPolitics, #Democracy, #ElectoralReform, #MediaBias, #SocialJustice   Explore the true nature of Australian democracy by examining its electoral system, media influence, and corporate power.   https://lnkd.in/ghw2KKas  

The Australian Government recently passed a bill to curb the spread of misinformation online, imposing fines on social media platforms that fail to prevent disinformation, sparking concerns about government control over the freedom of speech. Similar trends of social media restrictions and government surveillance are observed globally, with growing worries about the decline in online freedom. These developments raise significant concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and the unchecked power of authorities over social media platforms. To read more, visit: https://lnkd.in/d8pwU3t5 or click the link in the bio. To submit your work, visit: https://lnkd.in/eYgVReYM [Misinformation, fines, social media, government control, freedom of speech, surveillance, privacy, civil liberties, online restrictions]

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Australia must remain partner of choice in the Pacific, National Defence Strategy outlines https://lnkd.in/gBRbZ7fk Australia will invest in deeper security relationships with Pacific nations, including enhancing their maritime capabilities, to remain the partner of choice

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The Slippery Slope of "Normal": NZDF Housing and the Danger of Normalized Deviance Ever heard of the "normalization of deviance"? It's a concept that explains how substandard practices become accepted over time. Let's look at a concerning example close to home: the New Zealand Defence Force's housing and barracks accommodation. The Concept: Normalized deviance occurs when people become so accustomed to a deviant practice that they no longer consider it abnormal. Over time, the substandard becomes the accepted standard. NZDF Housing Example: - Reports have highlighted poor living conditions in some NZDF accommodations. - Issues include mold, inadequate heating, and structural problems. - These conditions have persisted and, in most cases, worsened over years. The Normalization Process: - Initially: Substandard conditions are recognized as problematic. - Over time: Personnel adapt, making do with what they have. - Eventually: Poor conditions become "just how it is." The Dangers: - Health risks for service members and their families - Decreased morale and readiness - Recruitment and retention issues in the force Breaking the Cycle: - Regular, independent audits of NZDF living conditions - Clear, enforced standards for military housing - Empowering personnel to report issues without fear of reprisal It's crucial we recognize and address this normalization of deviance as it has significant risks; not only to the morale of service personnel, which is itself a principle of war (New Zealand Defence Doctrine (NZDDP–D), but combat readiness itself. Our service members deserve better. Let's not let substandard become the new standard. Or in the words of Dave Gawn (MajGen ret) "The standard you walk past is the standard you accept". No Duff Charitable Trust Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore Head on over to Mission Homefront NZ and support their righteous work.

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