Policy and Regulation

Social media companies have removed, deactivated or restricted about 4.7 million accounts belonging to children under 16 during the first month of the country's social media ban, according to the eSafety Commissioner.

The government’s plan to hastily pass new hate speech laws alongside gun control measures is facing diverse opposition from the Coalition, religious groups and civil liberties organisations.

The Attorney-General has raised the maximum pay rates for barristers doing government work for the first time in 14 years, but the rates still pale in comparison to what counsel can charge private clients.

Queensland may remove a ban on property developers making political donations in state elections, with the corruption watchdog warning it could increase risks of corruption in the lead-up to the Brisbane Olympic Games. 

Meta has sharply criticised Australia's social media ban for children after confirming it removed over half a million Facebook, Instagram and Threads accounts in the first month of the ban.

Reforms to Australia's merger review regime kicked in on 1 January, but late-breaking amendments to the new laws mean changes to notification thresholds and further exemptions.

A world-first law banning kids under 16 from accessing social media platforms has gone into force, with the eSafety commissioner vowing to publish a report card on compliance by the end of the year.

Landmark federal environmental law reforms that will up penalties for environmental breaches and fast-track approvals for renewable energy projects are set to pass the Senate.

Crypto platforms will be required to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence under new legislation introduced by the Albanese government.

The use of generative AI in litigation is on the rise in Australia, according to a new report, and one expert says he hopes that increasing awareness of the risks of using generative AI means lawyers will be smart about its use in the future.