Australia: Government Policy & Public Finance

NSW's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms aim to address the state's housing shortage by permitting diverse housing types near transport hubs, but a recent panel discussion revealed a critical question: will removing planning barriers alone actually deliver more housing? The debate highlights tensions between state intervention and local government authority, while examining whether planning reform can overcome feasibility challenges, infrastructure constraints, and affordability concerns that continue to impe

Australia's Department of Home Affairs has introduced Ministerial Direction 119, fundamentally reshaping how skilled visa applications are prioritised based on occupation type and applicant location. For the first time, the Skills in Demand visa falls under priority processing rules, while regional location and accredited sponsor status no longer carry the weight they once did under the previous framework.

The new regime imposes a $7,500 cap on political donations, bans foreign donations, mandates real-time disclosure and, significantly for business, applies retrospectively from 15 April 2026. Businesses that have made a political donation in Victoria since 15 April 2026, or which are planning to make a donation ahead of this year’s election, should review their donations policies and compliance procedures now.

Directors who do not take their cyber security obligations risk regulatory enforcement action.

As cybersecurity experts, we hope the strategy succeeds so that Australia becomes a world leader in cybersecurity.

In June 2023, the International Sustainability Standards Board released its inaugural sustainability standards, IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, establishing a global common language for sustainability disclosure.

Article explains and discusses royal commissions in Australia.

As the flames grow higher and the rivers run dry, Australians on the ground had better get used to "a sunburnt country".

This government report card for the year 2019 estimates a below average score on a number of pressing social issues.