Talks to begin on EU trade
The European Union has agreed to open negotiations for an Australia-EU trade agreement.
Welcoming the development, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia and the EU shared a commitment to the rules-based global trading system and to open markets.
“The EU is Australia’s second largest trading partner; third largest export destination, and second largest services export market,” Mr Turnbull said.
“It was Australia’s largest source of foreign investment in 2017.”
Scammers target Chinese
A complex new international scam targeting the Chinese community in Australia has drawn the attention of the Australian Federal Police.
The scam involves victims — largely international students — being told they are allegedly implicated in crimes in China. The scammers then coerce the victims into a series of actions and make threats that their families in China will be harmed if they don’t cooperate.
Simultaneously, the victims’ families in China are told by the scammer their family members have been kidnapped and will only be released if a large sum of money is paid. The scammers falsely claim to be Chinese Government officials.
The AFP advises those who have been contacted with these scammers to contact their local police or consulate immediately.
Extra hand for APRA
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is to be given additional powers through the appointment of a second Deputy Chair.
The appointment will provide greater flexibility to the way in which APRA is governed.
Treasurer, Scott Morrison said the Government had already appointed a second Deputy Chair at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and it was appropriate this also occurred with APRA.
Rail lined up for inland project
The first consignment of 14,000 tonnes of steel rail has been delivered for the Parkes-to-Narromine section of the Inland Rail project.
Minister for Finance, Senator Mathias Cormann said it was the first steel rail delivered for the Inland Rail since $8.4 billion was allocated to the project in the 2017-18 Federal Budget.
The rail comprises 60 kilograms of steel per metre, easily accommodating the Inland Rail standard of double-stack trains of up to 1,800 metres in length travelling at 115kph with a 21 tonne axle load.
Grants for veterans’ week
Funding applications are invited for this year Veterans’ Health Week, with a theme of nutrition.
Applications are open for ex-service organisations and community groups that wish to organise an event.
Veterans’ Health Week runs from 22-to-30 September. Applications close on 29 June.
The Veterans’ Health Week funding application form and resource guide are available on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at this PS News link.
Australians more charitable
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) has announced that donations and bequests to registered charities grew by almost 15 per cent between 2014 and 2016.
The ACNC’s report assessed the annual information statements of more than 45,000 charities over three years to identify trends in income, workforce, location and activities.
Commissioner of the ACNC, Gary Johns said overall, charity income increased from $110 billion in 2014 to $121 billion in 2016, providing an additional $11 billion for charitable activities in Australia and abroad.
The ACNC’s 86-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
