Maurice Van Wersch

Facing flak over discrepancies in competitive exams, the #BJP-led Central government announced a flurry of decisions to contain the damage wreaked by the row, including shunting the #NTA chief, forming a panel to review the agency's functioning and handing over the probe into the alleged #NEETUG irregularities to #CBI Here are 10 points on the #NEET, #NET row 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g8cZVe86 #UGCNET #NEETUG2024

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The Defending Democracy Taskforce needs to move further and faster to protect the UK from foreign interference. We can never be invulnerable, but swift action can ensure the UK is better prepared. Read our recommendations below in this article by Nathan Julius Frank

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Govt should have intervened in last year’s port strikes, Shadow Transport Minister declares! Senator Bridget McKenzie, the Nationals Senator for Victoria who is the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, declared at this year’s Shipping Australia Christmas Luncheon that the Federal Government should have intervened in last year’s waterfront related strikes. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/g5S5hKpq #auspol #ShippingAustraliaLimited #maritime #maritimeindustry #freightforwarding #logistics #shippingindustry #shipping #stevedoring #shipagency #shipagents #freight #shipsandshipping #seafarers #seafaring #cargo #customsbrokers #ports #trucking #truckingindustry #australia #maritimelogistics #exports #imports #supplychaindisruption #supplychain #supplychains #supplychainmanagement #import #export #importexport #industrialrelations #seafreight

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The stunning spy allegations against two Russian-born Australians read like a plot of a TV thriller and represent the dawn of a new era for the nation’s intelligence agencies. The prospect that Russia may have planted sleeper agents to live among us – an idea popularised by the hit TV show The Americans – will shock everyday Australians. The bringing of charges over the alleged espionage plot in suburban Brisbane is a credit to ASIO and the Australian Federal Police. It marks the first-ever use of new espionage laws introduced five years ago, and comes amid surging efforts by foreign spies to gain access to classified information. But many questions remain unanswered. Chief among them – did Kira and Igor Korolev move to Australia a decade ago as part of a long-term Russian plan to spy on Australia? Or will it be alleged they were turned by a Russian agent after they arrived? Police are yet to say. But ASIO director-general Mike Burgess hinted the plot may have been years in the making, saying foreign intelligence services “play the long game”. It remains to be seen whether any sensitive material was actually handed to the Russians, although Burgess suggested the authorities had been “able to control this”. Australians will also rightly ask, if Kira Korolev is a spy, how did she manage to get through the Australian Defence Force’s security vetting processes to take up a job as an information systems technician? https://lnkd.in/ga9WSz5m

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Synergy November 2024: Will Labour's budget fix the NHS? - Kevin Tucker, chair of the SoR Welsh Council, explores whether the government's commitment to deliver £22.6bn for day-to-day NHS spending goes far enough. https://lnkd.in/eEG6-9Fq

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This week, Minister Mike Farnworth announced that on November 29, 2024, Surrey Police Service (SPS) will take command of policing in Surrey, under the leadership of Chief Norm Lipinski. Following his announcement, there was a swift response from those opposed to the transition, which created significant confusion regarding costs and the use of two-person cars in SPS’s policing model. As we move closer to taking over policing in Surrey, it is necessary to ensure there is public trust and confidence in the abilities of SPS.  To support this, we will be increasing our communication to the public through various channels to clarify misinformation. Let’s start with two-person cars. Two-person cars do not mean more police officers are required. In most large cities, the policing model includes the use of two-person cars. This is because data shows that a certain percentage of calls always require response by more than one police officer to ensure public and officer safety. Calls for service can be dynamic and dangerous, and the ultimate goal is to keep the public safe and to make sure our police officers go home after every shift. The bottom line is, the use of two-person cars is more efficient – not more expensive – and allows for a safer and more effective police response. The second major issue that was debated over the course of this week is that of costs. There have been multiple announcements by elected officials in the City of Surrey over the last couple of years with the cost difference ranging from $250M to $750M. These are huge numbers and they need context. Firstly, these numbers are projected over 10 years. Policing is an expensive line item in any city budget and multiplying the yearly costs by 10 will make any policing budget look astronomical. The fact is, municipal independent policing does cost more. However, this gap is closing with the RCMP’s latest collective agreement wage settlement that essentially brings RCMP salaries on par with those of municipal police officers. Staffing makes up 80-90% of police budgets, so wage parity makes a difference. Secondly, the policing budget for the City of Surrey must be developed in partnership and collaboration between SPS, the Board, and City Council. The Board needs to understand the City’s expectations of its police service and build a model that meets the needs of the residents we serve. Surrey is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada. Public safety planning for the next 10 years is critical and consequential. The number of resources and the services your police agency delivers can and should be decided collaboratively – but in order to so, we need to sit down together and plan for the future. As we move into the next few months, it is our hope that the divisive rhetoric stops, and all parties works together towards a common goal: building the most effective policing model to serve Surrey.

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Parliamentary Question: What steps does the Government plan to  take to improve support for people with ME Dr Charles Shepherd, Honorary Medical Adviser to the ME Association says: "We have a new Labour Government and this is a recurring parliamentary question on ME/CFS with the same ministerial answer. We would urge the new Labour Government to do its very best to ensure there are no further delays in publishing the Delivery Plan on ME/CFS." Read the ME Association comments in full here: https://lnkd.in/em5KipAs #pwME #MECFS #MyalgicE #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis 

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The Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Bill has been introduced in New Zealand's intention to reform the country’s Arms Act, which has been in place for 40 years, to ensure its fit for the purposes of today and the future. The Bill attempts enforce changes that include weakening the ability of gang members to obtain firearms while facilitating the lifting of banned gun ownerships. Additionally, it is conducting a consultation for the regulation of shooting clubs.  Although New Zealand encounters rarities relating to gun violence, they are nevertheless focusing their attention on its increasing rates from recent years, including the 2019 Christchurch shooting massacre. In fact, following the massacre, New Zealand introduced a gun registry, prohibited high-risk firearms like short semi-automatic rifles, tightened rules for gun dealers, and reduced the length of firearms license from 10 to 5 years for first-time license holders and those who had their license revoked or allowed it to expire. Further news awaits regarding the conversion of this bill to a law from which demonstrates a sufficient start to a new and improved future. #internationallaw #newzealand #armsact #guns #firearm #prohibition #license #bill #act #law #parliament #gunregistry #gun #safety #gang #ban #ownership #regulation #rifles ##revoke #gunviolence #shootingclubs #parliament  

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Australia unveiled its first National Defence Strategy on Wednesday, signalling a new focus on deterring China’s “coercive tactics” in a region seen as lurching towards conflict. The 80-page document offers a gloomy assessment of Pacific security and sets out a massive increase in defence spending to retool Australia’s military to cope. “The optimistic assumptions that guided defence planning after the end of the Cold War are long gone,” said Defence Minister Richard Marles, presenting the new strategy. Warning that “China has employed coercive tactics in pursuit of its strategic objectives,” the text describes an Australia vulnerable to foes strangling trade or preventing access to vital air and sea routes. “We are a maritime trading island nation,” Marles said. “The invasion of Australia is an unlikely prospect in any scenario, precisely because so much damage can be done to our country by an adversary without ever having to step foot on Australian soil,” he said. So instead of focusing on maintaining a military that can do a range of tasks almost anywhere in the world, Marles said there would be a laser focus on building a deterrent force that can protect Australia’s interests in its immediate region. At the centre of the strategy are plans to develop a fleet of stealthy nuclear-powered submarines, to triple key missile capabilities and develop a large surface combatant fleet. “Having the most capable Navy in our history will be at the heart of our projection and our strategy of denial,” Marles said. https://lnkd.in/gUTeFd4p

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A Conservative former minister has called for first-cousin marriage to be banned in the UK. Introducing the proposals in Parliament, Richard Holden said the children of first cousins were at greater risk of birth defects and the practice should be prohibited to protect public health. However, independent MP Iqbal Mohamed argued a ban would be ineffective and said these issues would be better addressed through education programmes to raise awareness of the risks. Downing Street said the expert advice on the risks of first-cousin marriage was clear but indicated that the government had no plans to change the law. "In terms of legislation, the government has set out its priorities," a No 10 spokesman said. Holden introduced his proposals using the 10-minute rule process, which allows a backbench MP to make the case for a new bill in a speech of up to 10 minutes in the Commons. However, such bills are unlikely to become law without government support because of the limited parliamentary time available for them. Under current legislation, marriages to a sibling, parent or child are prohibited but not between first cousins. #uk #conservativeformer #firstcousinmarriage #independentmp #richardholden #governmentsupport #businessdor

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"New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) medical experts have told military personnel some of its explosives and weapons could cause them brain damage – but its own veteran support agency has not yet accepted the injury as a direct pathway for compensation claims." Why Isn’t VANZ Prepared to Support Affected Personnel? Recent warnings by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) have drawn attention to a serious issue: exposure to explosives during training and operational duties could cause brain injuries, yet there remains no direct pathway for affected personnel to seek support through Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ). This gap is concerning, as the need for targeted resources and understanding is both urgent and overdue. Known injuries associated with repeated exposure to blast exposures include cognitive impairments, mood disturbances, and even long-term neurological conditions, reflecting what has been observed in militaries globally. While the NZDF's progress in this area, painfully slow though it has been, is commendable, the response from VANZ has been notably lacking. Over a year after the NZDF warning to it's personnel, there is still no streamlined pathway for claims specific to these kinds of brain injuries. The current system, rooted in administrative hurdles, means many veterans are struggling to receive timely assistance. As an example, NZ SAS Veteran Gregg "Pup" Johnson has been now waiting for almost 3 years for Veterans Affairs NZ to rule on his claim. This lack of preparation leaves veterans at risk of long-term complications and without a clear path to the support they need. What’s particularly troubling is that VANZ operates as an arm of the NZDF, which means their lack of response is essentially an internal failure. If VANZ is structurally and organizationally linked to the NZDF, why aren’t they better equipped to address emerging issues like blast-induced brain injury? Supporting veterans impacted by blast injuries is not only an ethical responsibility; it's a long-term investment in their health, well-being, and contributions to society post service. The failure to establish a straightforward claims pathway for blast-related brain injuries contradicts the NZDF’s statutory duty of care and responsibility to those who’ve put their health on the line for our society. The New Zealand government needs to act now to ensure that VANZ is equipped to serve those facing life-altering injuries as a direct result of their service. Ironic that as we approach this years Armistice Day, New Zealand's veteran support structure demonstrably remains the worst in the Western world. The old lie is no longer “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.” The old lie now is "He aha te mea nui? Māku e kii atu, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata". No Duff Charitable Trust Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore https://lnkd.in/gEaXCh55

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Police probe PNG minister in $3 million detention bribe investigation Australian authorities are investigating allegations of a $3 million bribery scheme involving Papua New Guinea’s Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Jelta Wong, and Australian contractor Paladin. The company, previously contracted by the Australian government to manage offshore detention facilities, is suspected of using funds from the Australian Department of Home Affairs to bribe Wong in exchange for supporting Paladin’s operational control of the Manus Island detention center. The allegations surfaced after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized a phone from a suspected middleman linked to Paladin, uncovering key evidence. The AFP suspects Paladin dishonestly obtained millions of taxpayer dollars by submitting fraudulent reimbursement claims to Home Affairs, with the money allegedly used to bribe foreign public officials, including Wong, between 2017 and 2019. Wong, now PNG’s fisheries minister, denies any wrongdoing, stating he never received payments from Paladin. Paladin's founder, Craig Thrupp, has not responded to the bribery allegations, though he has previously denied any misconduct. Thrupp is also under scrutiny for profiting substantially from government contracts, with reports indicating he earned over $150 million from contracts worth $500 million. The investigation further revealed Thrupp’s acquisition of luxury assets, including a $33 million yacht and properties in Bali. This investigation is politically sensitive for the Albanese government, which faces pressure to balance anti-corruption efforts with maintaining diplomatic ties with PNG. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) recently cleared Paladin of conflict-of-interest allegations involving Thrupp’s relationship with his mother, a former Home Affairs official. However, the bribery investigation remains active, as questions about government oversight of contractors grow. The case also sheds light on Australia’s complex role in the Pacific, where it competes with China for influence, and where corruption allegations could have broader geopolitical implications. Link to original article in The Age: https://lnkd.in/gkT-fdqS #PNG #Bribery #corruption #financialcrime #australia #china #pacific #NACC #AFP #police #bali #refugees #detention #manus

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The transition from service as a professional Army officer takes time to learn the commercial aspects of private business. That said the leadership skills, strategic expertise and experience are immediately transferable & invaluable. A recent brief article published by Business Canterbury about our two Partners . https://lnkd.in/g6NkHjg4

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The transition from service as a professional Army officer takes time to learn the commercial aspects of private business. That said the leadership skills, strategic expertise and experience are immediately transferable & invaluable. A recent brief article published by Business Canterbury about our two Partners . https://lnkd.in/g6NkHjg4

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#Australia 🇦🇺: A police operation in South Mackay, Queensland State is continuing, with officers searching for a man involved in a shooting incident this afternoon, June 19. Police were called to the Robb Place address just after 4.30pm following reports a woman had been shot. https://lnkd.in/d8zPAhqr Upon arrival, a woman was located deceased, and a man was located with non-life-threatening injuries to his hand. An emergency situation was declared under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) at approximately 5.20pm, with boundaries encompassing Robb Place, Paradise Street, Archibald Street, Kindermar Street and Denton Street. Police has asked the members of the public to avoid the area and those within the exclusion zone are asked to remain indoors until further notice. 🚨Travel and work abroad are associated with security risks that can come from many different sources and their impact on people and business can be devastating. Septu Group is a specialist security, risk management and crisis response company that supports the evolving security needs of individuals and businesses around the world. 𝐓𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭: ➡️ [email protected] #securityawareness #travelawareness #riskmanagement #securitymanagement #crisismanagement #travelsafety #dutyofcare #travelriskmanagement #travelrisk #riskassessment #crisisresponse #corporatesecurity #threatmanagement #septugroup #internationaltravel #crime #shooting #beware

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Boot camps for young offenders are making a comeback, despite clear evidence they don’t work. Studies show these military-style academies fail to reduce reoffending and can even be harmful. So why are they returning? Academics from Te Herenga Waka argue it's time to prioritise effective, evidence-based interventions that truly support rehabilitation in this article for The Conversation Australia + NZ.

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Many would have seen that recently published Australian Bureau of Statistics findings that reported the number of sexual assault survivors who reported the crime to police has risen to a 31-year high.    The data shows that most were female (84%), two in five (39%) of assaults were related to family and domestic violence (FDV), and 41% of victim/survivors were aged between 10-17 years old when the incident occurred.  There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding sexual violence. These new statistics demystify some of these misconceptions on what sexual violence looks like and who perpetrates it, as most reported sexual assaults did not involve the use of a weapon (94%) and 69% occurred in a residential location.  You can read more about the newly released data here - https://lnkd.in/gi2dw_nP  If you are a healthcare professional wanting to complete CPD training in Recognising and Responding to Sexual Violence in Adults, you can register your interest here for Monash University’s Sexual Violence Response Training - https://lnkd.in/gmJ_KXPz 

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