Blockchain Bites: Crypto Bahamas conference: Insights from the week

Recently, the NSW Government passed the Crimes Amendment (Intimate Image and Audio Material) Act 2025 (NSW) to strengthen protections against the non-consensual recording...

The Australian Government has released a consultation paper proposing national mandatory minimum standards for data centres (Consultation Paper), as part of its broader AI standards initiative.

From 20 October 2026, a new Fair Work Commission (FWC) Guidance Note will address the growing use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in proceedings. It comes as a self-represented litigant credits an ‘AI legal team’ with helping him secure a landmark FWC win.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued an open letter to all AFS licensees and market participants calling for urgent action to strengthen cyber resilience in response to the evolving threat posed by artificial intelligence models (the ASIC Letter).

The Australian Prudential and Regulatory Authority has launched unprecedented civil penalty proceedings against Bendigo and Adelaide Bank following a 2023 cybersecurity breach that exposed critical weaknesses in the bank's risk management systems. This landmark case signals a fundamental shift in regulatory enforcement, extending accountability beyond corporate entities to individual directors and officers who fail to ensure adequate cybersecurity controls are functioning as intended.

Government introduced into Parliament legislation to create a standalone Cyber Security Act.

The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 (Cth) (the Bill) marks a significant step in bridging digital asset intermediaries within Australia’s financial services regime.

In an open letter published on 8 May 2026, ASIC, who are responsible for regulating Australia's corporate, financial services and insurance sectors, urged Australian financial services licence (AFSL) holders to act promptly against the risks posed by advanced AI systems. ASIC warned that malicious actors are increasingly using cutting-edge AI models to identify and exploit vulnerabilities at an unprecedented scale.

Generative AI can be a valuable tool in legal practice, but using public AI platforms with confidential or privileged information can create significant risks. We examine two recent overseas decisions and what they may mean for Australian businesses, insurers and lawyers when it comes to preserving legal professional privilege and maintaining confidentiality.

APRA’s most recent accountability enforcement action against Bendigo and Adelaide Bank (BAB) for failures to address known cyber weaknesses within its group demonstrates how seriously it takes cyber risk management.

The Albanese Government has released draft legislation that would fundamentally reshape how Australian employers use restrictive covenants and competitive agreements. The proposed Competition and Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Banning Unfair Non-Competes) Bill 2026 seeks to prohibit or strictly regulate no-poach agreements, wage-fixing arrangements, non-compete clauses, and co-worker non-solicitation terms.

Government introduced into Parliament legislation to create a standalone Cyber Security Act.

South Australia has announced a Royal Commission into Artificial Intelligence, set to commence in October 2026 and deliver findings by July 2027. The inquiry will examine AI's economic and social impacts across policy, education, public services, workforce transformation, and infrastructure. Businesses using or developing AI should prepare for potential regulatory reforms and consider engaging with the inquiry process.

From 1 October 2026, foreign vendors in transactions valued at $50 million or more must notify the Australian Taxation Office when providing non-indirect Australian real property interest declarations. These new requirements introduce strict notification deadlines, comprehensive reporting obligations, and significant penalties for non-compliance. How will these reforms impact transaction planning, risk allocation between parties, and completion mechanics for cross-border deals?

The Australian Taxation Office has released its Decision Impact Statement following the High Court's landmark Bendel judgment on unpaid present entitlements and Division 7A. While some taxpayers who maintained passive arrangements may find relief, significant questions remain about the application of anti-avoidance provisions and the Commissioner's discretionary powers. The statement signals important changes to longstanding ATO guidance and raises critical considerations for trust and corporate beneficiary

Australia's private credit market faces its first genuine stress cycle as property transaction velocity slows and ASIC intensifies regulatory scrutiny. With delayed exits, extended loan maturities, and increased workout activity creating pressure across the sector, fund managers and trustees must now navigate both commercial challenges and heightened enforcement risk while ensuring their governance frameworks can withstand regulatory examination.

Australian patent law requires all patents to be novel—meaning the invention must be new when compared with prior art existing before the priority date. A single prior disclosure that lacks novelty can invalidate a patent claim, jeopardizing licensing agreements, freedom-to-operate assessments, and infringement actions.

The Victorian Government has launched a Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects, examining allegations of corruption, criminal conduct and serious misconduct across major construction projects. The inquiry will scrutinise procurement practices, labour hire arrangements, subcontracting models, supply chains, project governance and government oversight, with implications extending far beyond Victoria's borders.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has initiated Federal Court proceedings against Amazon AU, alleging that subscription contracts for Amazon Prime contain unfair terms allowing significant service changes...

A Federal Court decision examines whether liquidators can rely on accounting entries alone to pursue debt recovery, or whether suspicious book entries require stronger evidence to overcome a nil balance shown in company records. The case highlights critical evidentiary thresholds for insolvency practitioners when challenging transactions made shortly before liquidation.