🤖 AI Policy
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will deliver a major Sydney speech today — "AI in Australia's interests" — announcing a new Office of AI within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, designed to coordinate all AI-related policy under a single national framework. Australia claims to be the first country to bring economic, social, national security and environmental AI issues into one framework. Key elements: fast-tracked approvals for datacentres (addressing fragmented state approaches), no text-and-data mining copyright exemption for AI companies (resisting Anthropic's pressure), and new "Australian Standards" for AI. The speech comes amid community anxiety about datacentre energy/water use, copyright protections for artists and media, and job displacement. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has consistently said Australia won't provide an AI copyright exemption.
⚡ Energy
The CSIRO's annual GenCost report directly contradicts Coalition and One Nation claims that abandoning net zero targets would reduce electricity bills. Lead author Paul Graham: "If we abandon net zero, that does not open up some low-cost pathway." The report found nuclear would be the most expensive generation option, while batteries are now cheaper than gas turbines for meeting evening peak demand. It also found datacentre-driven demand in the US is pushing up gas turbine costs globally. Wholesale electricity prices peaked at $189/MWh in 2022, dropped to $104 in 2025, and are expected to rise above $120 by 2050 in all scenarios.
🏛️ Politics
Opposition leader Angus Taylor told ABC's 7.30 he will not enter a coalition with Pauline Hanson's One Nation, despite One Nation polling close to Labor and above the Coalition. "There is no plan to form any kind of coalition with One Nation," Taylor said, describing their policies as a path to "economic ruin." The comments came after Taylor previously criticised One Nation's economic platform, though he said his criticism was made "with a heavy heart." One Nation rejects climate science and would abandon the Paris Agreement.
🛡️ Security
The Australian Signals Directorate has issued a warning that Russian hackers are actively targeting Australian critical industries. Hackers are accessing information through network devices — laptops, routers — using old software and predictable passwords. The ASD urged Australian businesses to patch vulnerabilities and strengthen authentication.
📶 Telecom
Telstra is facing mounting pressure from businesses seeking compensation following network outages that disrupted operations. The ongoing dispute highlights the gap between consumer protections and business recourse in Australia's telecommunications sector.
🏛️ Legal
ASIC has launched Supreme Court action against Capital Guard, alleging a fake bond scheme that has left Australian investors fearing millions in losses. The case follows months of investigations into the company's financial products.