Eectronic Vehicle ownership booming as drivers connect at Dingo

New Queensland Electric Super Highway site opens in Dingo

Electronic vehicle ownership is contributing to Queensland’s net zero emissions target 90,000 vehicles have been charged since 2017

Brisbane, February 22: Queensland is connecting communities and contributing to the net zero emissions target with the opening of a new Queensland Electric Super Highway (QESH) site at Dingo.

Since opening in 2017, more than 90,000 vehicles have been charged on the QESH, saving between 2,064 to 2,422 tonnes of CO2 compared to similar light petrol or diesel vehicles. This saving is equivalent to removing about 704 passenger vehicles from Queensland's vehicle fleet. The availability of public, electric vehicle (EV), fast charging infrastructure is vital. It will help accelerate Queensland towards a net zero emissions future and help connect regional

EV users across the state.

Dingo now joins a growing regional network of public charging sites including Blackall, Barcaldine, Charleville, Cloncurry and Longreach - with Stanthorpe due to open later this month.

Phase three is an important network connector, linking regional and rural areas of the state. This will help generate greater tourism and economic development opportunities.

Applications are being sought for projects aimed at addressing issues including domestic and family violence, sexual violence prevention, respectful and healthy relationships, mentoring and leadership opportunities, career pathways into construction and women’s health. Creating a positive impact on the future of women and girls through the grant program is one way the Queensland Government is delivering upon the theme for this year’s Queensland Women’s Week, Empower her voice; secure her future.

Queensland Women’s Week has been running annually in March since 2016, and is an expansion of International Women’s Day

“We want to build on the previous success of the Investing in Queensland Women grant program, which has already seen 119 community driven initiatives funded and over $1 million invested across the four IQW grant rounds during 2021 and 2022”

“That is why I am encouraging Queensland organisations to apply for the grants to deliver projects that will address the diverse range of issues faced by across the state.”

“Queensland Women’s Week acknowledges that everyone has a role to play in creating communities that respects women, embraces gender equality, and promotes and protects the rights, interests and wellbeing of women and girls.”

In collaboration with National Institute for Advanced Studies, Bengaluru

Authored by Rashmi

Ramesh, Akriti Sharma, Abigail Miriam Fernandez, Avishka Ashok, Anu Maria Joseph, Apoorva Sudhakar and Femy Francis

Japan, Philippines and the South China Sea: Strengthening ties to defend territories against intrusions

other’s sovereign territory.

What happened?

On 12 February, President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jnr completed his four-days-long visit to Japan by signing a proposed agreement with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which allows the countries’ armed forces to cooperate on disaster relief, thereby permitting the deployment of forces on each

President Marcos said: “The country has seen heightened geopolitical tensions that do not conform to our ideals of peace and threaten the security and stability of the country, of the region and of the world. This country will not lose an inch of its territory.”

During the visit, 35 deals were signed between the countries; covering diverse areas of cooperation such as infrastructure, energy, health care and agriculture.

What does it mean?

The tensions in the SCS are expected to increase in the coming years. The primary source of conflict may come from China and its unilateral actions of building on reefs and other unclaimed sea bodies. The Philippines, Japan and other countries have been condemning China for singlehandedly attempting to change the status quo in the SCS. Therefore, there is likely to be an increase in economic, trade and, most importantly, military cooperation between the countries in the region. Since China is the primary aggressor, the countries will focus on creating a defence against the People’s Republic of China.