Oceania: Government, Public Sector

Australia's 2026-27 federal budget introduces sweeping immigration reforms that will reshape how skilled workers are selected, where temporary visa holders can buy property, and how quickly migrant tradespeople can enter the workforce. The changes mark the first overhaul of the skilled migration points test in over a decade and signal a strategic shift toward prioritizing onshore applicants already living in Australia. What do these policy adjustments mean for employers, migrants, and the broader trajectory

Recent EFA announcement does not change the risk landscape for major projects. Key takeaways discussed here.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has recently reviewed how transparent Australian Government agencies are regarding their use of ADM processes.

Delivering a data centre in Australia requires early and informed navigation of a complex legal and regulatory landscape. Site selection must account for power...

Australia has introduced a prioritisation framework for data centre and AI compute projects through Commonwealth Expectations that will influence regulatory approvals and project sequencing.

The new regime is more facilitative for straightforward, low-risk investments, with much faster processing times and reduced compliance for well-known investors.

The NSW Court of Appeal has struck down sweeping anti-protest laws enacted after the Bondi Beach terror attack, ruling that police powers to ban public assemblies across broad geographic areas violated constitutional protections for political communication. The landmark decision examines whether governments can impose blanket restrictions on peaceful protests during times of heightened security concerns, and what constitutional limits exist on such powers.

A version of a modern slavery reporting regime to be in force before the election in November.

Applications under the Act can result in significant implications for project delivery and provide an avenue for Traditional Owners to seek protections when state law does not do so.

The NSW Parliament has introduced the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026, proposing sweeping changes to the state's building approval system and certifier responsibilities. While the Bill aims to streamline approvals and reduce red tape to meet housing targets, it controversially repeals the unpopular Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 only to reinstate many of its key requirements, potentially facing significant industry opposition particularly from private certifiers whose liability

Australia's 2026-27 federal budget introduces sweeping immigration reforms that will reshape how skilled workers are selected, where temporary visa holders can buy property, and how quickly migrant tradespeople can enter the workforce. The changes mark the first overhaul of the skilled migration points test in over a decade and signal a strategic shift toward prioritizing onshore applicants already living in Australia. What do these policy adjustments mean for employers, migrants, and the broader trajectory

The Fair Work Commission recently held an engagement conference to address urgent implementation and interpretation issues arising under the Road Transport Contractual Chain Order – Fuel Cost Recovery – 2026.