Month: November 2018

The fourth Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) Summit will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from 6 to 8 November 2018.
The Summit will bring together over 350 global leaders and specialists in financial intelligence together with senior representatives from regulatory, law enforcement, national security and policy agencies, industry participants and academics.
The CTF Summit is recognised globally as a leading example of multilateral cooperation focused on understanding and responding to terrorism financing and significant financial threats.
Hosted by Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) in partnership with Indonesian and Australian Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), PPATK and AUSTRAC, the 2018 CTF Summit will focus on:

• the identification and prioritisation of ISIL affiliated organisations in the Asia Pacific region, as well as other emerging terrorist organisations;
• the launch of a regional assessment on non-profit organisation red flag indicators;
• the release of a secure information-sharing platform prototype;
• a multi-intelligence analyst exchange program ‘Hubbing’ exercise;
• collaboration of FIUs and sharing of best practice techniques to combat terrorism financing; and
• exploring new opportunities to strengthen the cooperation of regional FIUs in combatting transnational crime threats, including corruption and human trafficking/people smuggling.

Acting Secretary-General of AMLO, Police Major General Preecha Jaroensahayanon said “the CTF Summit represents a good opportunity to enhance cooperation within the region to stay ahead of terrorism and terrorist financing that has become more complex with advanced technologies.”
“To properly deal with terrorism threats, we need to change. More innovative counter measures need to be created and developed for better prevention,” Police Major General Jaroensahayanon said.
AUSTRAC CEO, Nicole Rose PSM said the CTF Summit plays a crucial role in the fight against terrorism in the Asia Pacific region.
“Terrorism is one of the most significant threats we face, and AUSTRAC, in cooperation with our partners worldwide, is committed to playing our part in stamping it out,” Ms Rose said.
Head of PPATK, Mr. Kiagus Ahmad Badaruddin said “the CFT Summit is a perfect platform for combatting terrorism in our region.”
“It gives good momentum to our partner agencies in identifying threats coming from transnational crime, mapping the high risk sectors as well as developing more comprehensive and effective solutions to financing of terrorism issues around the region,” Mr. Badaruddin said.
The 4th CTF Summit theme is “Regional Synergies for Regional Solutions”. “Regional Synergies” means the Summit brings together relevant parties to deepen understanding and identify and address gaps in collaboration. This will create sustainable regional alliances that drive the rapid exchange of intelligence to more effectively combat transnational crime in the region and beyond.
The 2018 CTF Summit will build on the outcomes of previous Summits held in Sydney 2015 – AUSTRAC, Australia; Bali 2016 – PPATK, Indonesia; and Kuala Lumpur 2017 – Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysia.
The outcomes of this 4th CTF Summit will be declared in the Bangkok Communique at the end of the Summit.

Mystery Road, Ladies in Black, Homecoming Queens

Screen Australia’s annual Drama Report released today shows a record high expenditure on home grown stories, with $718 million spent on local productions, up 7% on last year.

The Drama Report measures the health of the Australian screen industry by covering the production of local and foreign feature films, TV dramas, online programs plus PDV (post, digital and visual effects) activity.
The 2017/18 record local expenditure included 36 TV dramas such as Mystery Road, Playing for Keeps and the forthcoming Lambs of God, and their combined spend of $295 million was above the five-year average. Spend on Australian feature films was up 12% on last year to $321 million due to strong Official Co-production activity. 38 Australian feature films were made including box office hit Ladies in Black and the forthcoming Storm Boy. 10 children’s television programs went into production including fan favourite Bluey, with $49 million spent on Australian children’s programs, up 3% on last year’s spend but below the five-year average. 18 online drama titles went into production, with a 256% increase in expenditure, driven by content with longer episodes and a higher cost per hour.
Overall $814 million was spent on 133 screen productions in 2017/18 compared to $1.3 billion on 166 titles in 2016/17. This drop was largely due to reduced foreign film production spend. New South Wales accounted for the largest share of total expenditure in Australia (37%), while Western Australia ($37 million) and South Australia ($82 million) set new expenditure records.

The rollout of 5G networks in Australia will have a significant impact on broadband markets, including the NBN, ACCC Chair Rod Sims said in a speech delivered at RadComms 2018 today.
Mr Sims said an interesting dynamic is developing between mobile networks and the NBN in Australia, because 5G networks will be the first generation of mobile technology capable of delivering broadband services comparable to fixed services in terms of speed and capacity.
“Mobile broadband services may become more of a viable substitute for fixed broadband,” Mr Sims said.
“This is unprecedented in the Australian market, and indeed globally. This is great news for consumers as it will create more choice of services and suppliers and see telco products better align with their needs, particularly those who value mobility, like renters.”
“This leads us to an interesting competition issue: what does 5G mean for the NBN? We will need to wait and see what happens when 5G becomes widely available and how markets react,” Mr Sims said.
“What we must never do, however, is seek to restrain others in order to protect the NBN business model. This would be a disaster for consumers.”
Critical to ensuring the 5G rollout was working for consumers’ benefit is ensuring it is done in a way that promotes competition.
“We know that 5G is going to lower the cost of delivering data, but those changes will be accompanied by large capital and operating costs; operators will need to acquire new spectrum, densify their networks by building more mobile towers, and make sure their transmission can support delivery of new services,” Mr Sims said.
“Competition will drive this investment. It can be the catalyst for innovation and can see operators build wider, better networks, to provide higher quality services.”
“However, investment costs can be significant, and if we want to see more competitors in mobiles we need to think carefully about how to best achieve sustainable competition and minimise barriers to entry,” Mr Sims said.
Mr Sims discussed the Government’s upcoming 5G spectrum auction being held by the ACMA, saying it was critical that spectrum allocation processes, including allocation limits, promote competition in downstream markets, rather than just competition in the allocation itself.
“Each spectrum allocation is a new opportunity for a potential entrant, a different service, or improved coverage,” Mr Sims said.
“What happens now will have a long-term impact on competition. We need to make sure we achieve the most efficient and pro-competitive use of spectrum.”
Mr Sims noted TPG and VHA’s joint venture agreement to bid in the upcoming 3.6 GHz spectrum auction, separate to the proposed merger between the two companies.
“An agreement between competitors to share networks – separate to a formal merger – rather than compete to build them does have potential competition implications. However, we are also aware of the potential benefits of this from an efficiency perspective,” Mr Sims said.
“We want to ensure that any network sharing happens in a way that enables operators to continue to differentiate between services, quality and products. Likewise, we want to ensure there are equal incentives on operators to invest in the network infrastructure,” Mr Sims said.
A full copy of Mr Sims’s speech is available at: Competition & the 5G spectrum.

The Secretary of Defence, Mr Greg Moriarty and the Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell visited the People’s Republic of China this week to conduct the Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue.
Held in Beijing on 29 October 2018, the dialogue was hosted by Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), General Li Zuocheng.
This year marked the 21st year of the annual dialogue – a key part of regular bilateral engagement activities – which brings together senior leaders from the Australian Department of Defence and the PLA to discuss a range of regional security issues, including maritime security.
Mr Moriarty said Australia’s bilateral defence relationship with China was underpinned by a common interest in ensuring a strong, stable and prosperous region.
“The Australia-China defence relationship is an important part of our broader bilateral relationship,” Mr Moriarty said.
“Our program of regular engagement activities includes dialogues, joint exercises, educational exchanges and ship visits which helps to develop mutual understanding and strengthen people-to-people links,” Mr Moriarty said.
General Campbell said the Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue provided a useful forum in which frank and open discussion on a number of regional challenges could occur.
“This year’s exchange of views was again productive and included discussions on maintaining regional peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the South China Sea,” General Campbell said.
“This is vital for both nations and for the broader region.”
Australia will host the 22nd Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue in Canberra next year.

Sherb Detox capsules pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has tested a product labelled Sherb Detox capsules and found that:

• The capsules contain the undeclared substance Bisacodyl.

Consumers are advised that Bisacodyl is a laxative that is marketed as an over-the-counter medicine in Australia, but is not scheduled
The supply of Sherb Detox capsules containing undisclosed Bisacodyl is illegal.
Sherb Detox capsules have not been assessed by the TGA for quality, safety or efficacy as required under Australian legislation, and the place of manufacture is not approved by the TGA.
TGA investigations have shown that a number of people in Australia may have bought the product online.

A new school-based mental health program that aims to give teachers the tools to help students manage their mental health will be launched today following a $98.6 million investment from the Morrison Government.
The program Be You will be delivered by beyondblue in partnership with headspace and Early Childhood Australia.
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the program will provide Australian teachers with the skills and resources to be able to teach students how to manage their mental health and wellbeing, build resilience, and support the mental wellbeing of other students.
“It will ensure that students have all the support required for healthy social and emotional development,” Minister Hunt said.
“Be You will teach educators to identify any students who may be experiencing mental health difficulties, and to work with the families and local services to get the right help early on. It will also help educators look after their own mental health.”
Minister for Education Dan Tehan said Be You builds on the strengths of current school-based mental health programs, and complements our Government’s recently launched Australian Student Wellbeing Framework.
“I encourage all Australian schools and early learning providers to engage with beyondblue and Be You to support the mental health and wellbeing of our students,” Minister Tehan said.
“As half of all mental health disorders in Australia emerge before the age of 14, schools and early learning services in Australia represent one of the best opportunities for mental health issues to be detected early and managed.
“Schools also play a vital role in prevention by helping our children and young people learn the skills they need to look after their own mental health and wellbeing.
I want our children and young people to have access to the information and skills they need to face life’s challenges and to know they have our support.”
The program will be rolled-out by beyondblue in 6,000 schools and 2,000 early learning services in 2019.
Teachers and educators, including those still in training, will have access to free online courses and materials on mental health and suicide prevention.
The program will also be supported by over 70 frontline staff from Early Childhood Australia and headspace who will help schools and early learning services around the country implement the program, through online, telephone, and face to face consultations.
The Government is also providing $2.36 million over four years to the University of Queensland to evaluate the program. This will assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the program, and identify opportunities to strengthen or improve it.
The Liberal National Government is prioritising better mental health for all Australians with an additional $338.1 million allocated in the 2018¬–19 Budget and $4.7 billion expected to be spent on mental health this financial year.
Our Government’s strong economic management ensures we continue to invest record amounts of funding into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.

The Australian Government is aware of the cyber security incident affecting Austal.

This matter has been referred to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for investigation.

As the investigation continues, the Department of Defence can confirm that no compromise of classified or sensitive information or technology has been identified so far.

This incident reinforces the serious nature of the cyber security threat faced by defence industry, and the need for industry partners to put in place, and maintain, strong cyber defences.

Defence and the ACSC have provided cyber security assistance to Austal and are working with Austal to assess and mitigate harm.

The Government will continue to actively deter and respond to malicious cyber activity, and any impact it may have on Australia.

As this matter is still being investigated by the AFP and the ACSC, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Federal Court has ordered hearing aid retailers Oticon Australia Pty Ltd (Oticon) and Sonic Innovations Pty Ltd (Sonic) to pay penalties totalling $2.5 million for misleading pensioners through newspaper advertisements for hearing aids sold by AudioClinic and HearingLife clinics.
Oticon and Sonic admitted that the advertisements contained three false and misleading representations about hearing aids available to pensioners under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. The misleading representations were that:

• in order to obtain a free hearing aid pensioners had to book a free hearing test at an AudioClinic or HearingLife hearing clinic before the deadline in the advertisement, where there was no time limit;
• the free hearing aids included wireless technology that would allow users to connect them to digital devices like televisions and mobile phones, when in fact these were additional accessories which were sold separately at an extra cost; and
• any user of the advertised hearing aid would no longer miss any conversations, when in fact this may depend on a person’s individual circumstances and the nature of his or her hearing impairment.

“Many of the pensioners targeted by the advertisements were vulnerable due to their age and hearing loss. The misleading representations by Sonic and Oticon created a false sense of urgency for these consumers to book a hearing test and led them into a sales process based on incorrect information,” ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said.
“This conduct is unacceptable particularly because it targeted vulnerable pensioners. The decision from the Federal Court sends a strong message to the hearing aid industry about the importance of ensuring all representations to consumers are accurate and not misleading.”
In addition to paying penalties of $2.5 million, the Court ordered by consent that Sonic and Oticon offer refunds to customers who purchased ConnectLine and SoundGate3 accessories, publish a corrective notice in a nationally circulated newspaper, and establish an Australian Consumer Law compliance program.

Background

The ACCC instituted proceedings against Sonic and Oticon on 6 September 2018: ACCC takes action against hearing aid retailers for misleading pensioners.
Oticon and Sonic, owned and operated by William Demant Holding A/S, operate over 200 hearing clinics across Australia, including under the AudioClinic, HearingLife, Western Hearing Services, and Adelaide Digital Hearing Solutions brands.
The misleading ads were published on 85 occasions in newspapers around Australia from June to November 2017 under the AudioClinic and HearingLife brands. Oticon and Sonic sold more than 10 000 of the advertised Oticon Ria2 and Sonic Cheer20 hearing aids.
Australian Government Hearing Services Program
Around 80 per cent of hearing aids supplied in Australia are provided under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (the Hearing Program).
The Hearing Program provides access to subsidised hearing services and devices to eligible persons, such as pensioner concession card holders, veterans, and defence force personnel. Vouchers can be used to obtain fully-subsidised hearing devices, or to cover some of the cost of partially-subsided hearing devices, with the consumer paying the remainder of the cost directly to hearing clinics.
The Hearing Program is administered by the Department of Health. Around 300 providers, including Oticon and Sonic, are accredited by the Department of Health to provide hearing devices to voucher holders under the Hearing Program.