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 […]
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 […]
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] […]
ReadmoreContracting for AI calls for a nuanced approach
Taking lead from the immortal words of Wet Wet Wet’s Marti Pellow, it is not ‘love’ but AI that is currently ‘all around us’ …it’s everywhere [we] go…’! Since the hyped introduction of gen AI in 2023, to the wave of experimentation that gripped 2024, experts are calling FY25/26 the year of acceleration of enterprise […]
ReadmoreFinder: ASIC to continue to pursue cases to clarify crypto regulation as the Federal Court finds that a crypto-asset is not a debenture
On 24 July 2025, the Full Federal Court dismissed ASIC’s appeal against Finder Wallet Pty Ltd (Finder Wallet) and ordered it to pay costs.[1] The Court held that the primary judge made no error in concluding that the ‘Finder Earn’ product did not amount to a ‘debenture’ within the meaning of s 9 of the […]
ReadmoreDeveloping or procuring AI? Here’s what you need to know
AI tools are bringing paradigm-shifting opportunities that will transform the way we work and interact. In a recent McKinsey survey, 78% of respondents indicated that their organisation uses at least some AI tools – an increase from only 50% prior to the generative AI boom of late 2022, spurred on by the public release of […]
ReadmoreNew mandatory ransomware payment reporting obligations now in force
Introduction Australia has taken a bold step in strengthening its cyber resilience with the introduction of the mandatory ransomware and cyber extortion payment reporting regime under Part 3 of the Cyber Security Act 2024 (Cyber Security Act). Effective from 30 May 2025, this new regime requires certain entities – including businesses with an annual turnover exceeding $3 million and […]
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