Australia: Corporate Governance

The 2026-27 Federal Budget introduced the most significant capital gains tax reforms in 25 years, replacing the 50% CGT discount with cost base indexation and a 30% minimum tax. Combined with new ASIC instruments on stamp duty and portfolio holdings disclosure, investment fund managers face coordinated disclosure, operational and structural challenges requiring substantial work over the next 12 to 18 months.

A number of companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) can expect to be captured by new mandatory sustainability reporting requirements as of this financial year.

The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) (‘AML/CTF’, ‘the Amendment’) amends the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006...

This article summarises the key developments, answers some of the audience's most common questions raised, and outlines what businesses should be doing now to manage risk.

A Federal Court ruling has found Star Entertainment's CEO and Chief Legal Officer breached their duties by failing to escalate critical compliance risks to the Board, while non-executive directors were cleared. The decision establishes important precedents about information flow, executive accountability, and the limits of board reliance on management in corporate governance.

This article explains board duties and ethical practices for directors and business owners in Australia.

Corporate risk in Australia is increasingly defined by the aligned issues of regulatory compliance and the threat of class action litigation.

This decision marks a significant development in the application of Australia's competition law to digital platforms.

Our monthly ESG bulletin provides a targeted snapshot of key developments we see as reflecting the "must know" trends in the Australian market.