ALP National Conference endorses Fair AI Taskforce
We recently outlined the key takeaways from Prime Minister Albanese’s 15 July 2026 speech announcing the establishment of mandatory ‘Australian Standards for AI’ (National AI Standards), a unified national framework designed to provide regulatory certainty for investors, developers and operators. Less than two weeks later, at the Australian Labor Party’s (ALP) 50th National Conference in […]
ReadmorePrime Minister announces national AI regulation: Key takeaways for investors, developers and operators
On 15 July 2026, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a speech [1] outlining the Australian Government’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. The announcement signals a significant shift from piecemeal, sector-by-sector responses to a unified national framework. Below, we summarise the key announcements and their implications for businesses operating or investing in Australia. Australian standards […]
ReadmoreConsumer Express | May 2026 Edition
In the May 2026 edition of Consumer Express, we unpack the legal developments most relevant to businesses operating in an increasingly complex consumer environment, with a focus on the regulatory reforms and emerging risks shaping the landscape ahead. This edition covers the Federal Government’s proposed prohibition on unfair trading practices, including new rules targeting subscription […]
ReadmoreAI governance in focus: APRA signals key risk areas
APRA’s 30 April 2026 Letter to Industry on Artificial Intelligence (Letter) is a clear signal that the era of informal AI governance is drawing to a close. The Letter followed a targeted review of large banks, insurers and superannuation trustees, with APRA identifying that the pace of AI deployment is consistently outstripping the maturity of […]
ReadmoreThe impact of Generative AI on the Fair Work Commission
AI is quickly becoming the new normal for the Fair Work Commission (Commission), prompting Justice Hatcher, President of the Commission to publish a statement[1] and an exposure draft of the proposed Guidance Note: Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Commission cases (GenAI Guidance Note)[2]. The GenAI Guidance Note comes after growing concerns that the Commission […]
ReadmoreReflections on Privacy Awareness Week 2026: Building Trust Through Privacy Complaint Resolution
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s theme for Privacy Awareness Week 2026 is: ‘Trust is built here. In every privacy complaint. In every resolution.’ This theme highlights the critical role that privacy complaint handling plays in strengthening public confidence in how organisations manage their personal information. It signals a growing regulatory expectation that organisations […]
ReadmoreFacial recognition technology on trial
On 4 February 2026, the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) delivered its long-awaited decision in Bunnings Group Limited and Privacy Commissioner (Guidance and Appeals Panel) [2026] ARTA 130.[1] Following an appeal by Bunnings Group Limited (Bunnings) of the Australian Privacy Commissioner’s 2024 determination, the ART has now held that Bunnings’ use of facial recognition technology […]
ReadmoreAustralia launches AI Safety Institute and releases National AI Plan
The Labor government has recently announced the launch of the Australian AI Safety Institute (AISI), a national watchdog dedicated to ensuring the safe and responsible development of AI in Australia. The government will begin rolling out the AISI in early 2026. The AISI has been developed to oversee the deployment and regulation of AI technology […]
ReadmoreNo likes before sixteen: Australia’s social media minimum age restriction
On 10 December 2025, Australia became the first country to enforce a minimum age requirement for social media accounts. This landmark reform introduces the Social Media Minimum Age obligation (SMMA) under Part 4A of the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) (OSA), requiring platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent users under 16 from creating or […]
ReadmoreIntellectual property and AI – Retro-fitting current frameworks for new concepts
Artificial intelligence (AI) may be transforming how we work with information, but it’s also raising a number of questions as to what we ‘own’ – both as to what goes in, and what comes out. For instance, the Productivity Commission’s interim report into Harnessing Data and Digital Technology identified that restrictions on the use of […]
ReadmoreConsumer Express | October 2025 Edition
In the October 2025 edition of Consumer Express, we explore the latest legal and regulatory developments impacting the consumer sector, with a focus on the emerging trends and challenges our clients are navigating. This edition covers the continued growth in online retail spending, driven by the rise of mobile-first shopping experiences, as well as the […]
ReadmoreFederal Court confirms $5.8m penalty against Australian Clinical Labs over data breach
The Federal Court has confirmed Australian Clinical Labs (ACL) must pay a $5.8m civil penalty along with $400,000 in legal costs to settle proceedings commenced by the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).[1] The proceedings arose from the OAIC’s investigation into a cybersecurity attack on Medlab Pathology (Medlab) that exposed personal information relating to approximately 223,000 Australians,[2] […]
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