Weekly Wrap Up – 12 December 2025
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As Parliament heads into its winter recess, the Government is desperately seeking to shape the political narrative before returning to Canberra in August. Attempting to derail any political momentum for the Government, the Greens and the Coalition have successfully initiated Senate inquiries, including NDIS and social media reforms, which will increase scrutiny and slow progress on key pieces of legislation.
Having secured passage of its signature tax reforms last week, the past sitting week has been used to progress a broad suite of measures. This includes gambling advertising reform, changes to enforcement of the social media ban, tax adviser misconduct, and broadening nurses’ prescribing capability under the PBS. Yet it was the debate over gambling advertising that ultimately dominated proceedings. Crossbench MPs and Senators intensified pressure on the Government to strengthen the proposed restrictions, questioning whether the legislation adequately reflects growing community concerns. Greens, Coalition and Independent Senators all voted in support of the Senate inquiry into the Government’s legislation, which will run over the break and is due to report by 17 August.
Outside Canberra, the political landscape remains fluid. Redbridge polling shows Labor has regained the lead on both the primary vote and the two-party preferred measure, while One Nation’s recent surge may be beginning to lose some momentum. Pauline Hanson’s personal favourability dropped following her National Press Club address two weeks ago, with commentators attributing the shift to her controversial remarks on paid parental leave and multiculturalism. Whether this represents a temporary correction or the beginning of a broader realignment in voter sentiment, both major parties are certainly watching closely.
Victoria presents a different dynamic ahead of the November state election, with One Nation now polling ahead of both Labor and the Coalition on the primary vote. The result has amplified concerns within Labor over its hold of key outer suburban and regional heartland seats where preference flows could ultimately determine government.
Meanwhile, 1 July marked the start of a range of significant Government reforms that will now begin to affect Australians directly. Income tax cuts have taken effect alongside a 4.75 per cent increase to the minimum wage, paid parental leave has expanded to 26 weeks, payday superannuation has commenced, and new anti-scam protections and strengthened NDIS provider regulations are now in force. Collectively, these measures represent the Government’s strongest opportunity yet to demonstrate the practical benefits of its legislative agenda. As the focus shifts from Parliament to the electorate, the key question is whether voters will reward the Government for delivering these reforms – or continue to look elsewhere amid persistent cost of living pressures and anti-establishment sentiment.
Watch this space.
Top talking points
Parliament: Federal Parliament sat for its final sitting week ahead of the winter recess.
Prime Minister of Vanuatu: Jotham Napat visited Australia to discuss continued economic, security and development cooperation.
Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion: The Royal Commission heard evidence that social media facilitates the spread of antisemitism, prompting calls for stronger regulation.
National Press Club: Pat Conroy addressed the National Press Club, discussing the Government’s approach to defence capability.
Polling: Redbridge polling shows Labor leading the primary vote at 30 per cent, ahead of One Nation at 29 per cent and the Coalition at 19 per cent. Pauline Hanson’s favourability rating has fallen by 10 points.
Making headlines this week
Increased enforcement of the social media ban
State Political Developments
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is facing renewed political pressure over allegations of corruption linked to the state’s Big Build infrastructure program. This follows reports that the Government ignored warnings about alleged criminal conduct and escalating labour costs on major projects. The Coalition has called for a royal commission and a pause on federal infrastructure funding until corruption concerns are addressed. Allan has rejected these calls, insisting there is no evidence of government corruption and has attributed project cost blowouts to inflation, supply chain disruptions, and pandemic-related pressures. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson faces her own challenges as Moira Deeming appears headed for deselection after refusing to apologise for alleging former leader Matthew Guy assaulted her – an allegation Victoria Police concluded was unsupported after reviewing CCTV footage. In New South Wales, the Liberal Party faces political pressure after ICAC announced an eight-week public inquiry into allegations of illegal political donations, branch stacking and improper influence involving developer Jean Nassif, two brothers of former premier Dominic Perrottet and senior party figures. The investigation threatens to deepen divisions and complicate the Coalition’s electoral prospects ahead of the state election next year.
Things to watch
8 July, the ABS will release Building Approvals and Building Activity data.
ASIC and APRA Updates
Treasury opened consultation on reforms to the regulation of Australia’s accounting, auditing and consulting firms. The options paper proposes changes to partnership structures, mandatory quality management and ethical standards, enhanced audit surveillance, greater separation of audit and consulting functions, and expanded ASIC oversight, licensing and enforcement powers. Consultation closes on 12 August.
APRA released the findings of its inaugural System Risk Stress Test, assessing the interconnectedness of Australia’s banking and superannuation sectors. While institutions remained resilient under a severe stress scenario, APRA identified concentration risks, liquidity vulnerabilities and the growing systemic importance of large superannuation funds.
ASIC warned superannuation trustees to strengthen governance and oversight to better protect members’ retirement savings. It identified weaknesses in advice fee controls, review of advice documents, understanding of licensees’ business models, and risk assessment processes as priorities for improvement.
Legislative Developments and Defence Moves
Tim Ayres introduced the Trade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) Bill 2026 to the Senate. This Bill seeks to improve transparency, consultation and community engagement processes in the negotiation and review of Australia’s free trade agreements.
The Federal Government introduced Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026. The Bill aims to implement the recommendations of Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM’s independent review by strengthening and streamlining the Foreign Arrangements Scheme.
Pat Conroy released the 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy, outlining measures to strengthen Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base through workforce development, procurement reform, export support, industry investment and closer collaboration between Defence, industry and the education sector.
Alcoa, Hydrogen, and Biosecurity Legislative Updates
Madeleine King welcomed Alcoa’s US $5.6 billion binding agreement to acquire South32’s aluminium assets, including Worsley Alumina in WA. King described the agreement as a vote of confidence in Australia’s economy and resources sector.
Chris Bowen highlighted Orica’s Final Investment Decision on a $432 million renewable hydrogen project in the Hunter Valley. This is the first project to receive support under the Federal Hydrogen Headstart program and is expected to reduce emissions equivalent to taking 26,500 cars off the road each year once operational in 2029.
Julie Collins introduced the Biosecurity Amendment (Improving Operational Efficiency) Bill 2026. The Bill aims to modernise Australia’s biosecurity framework by enabling digital traveller declarations, strengthening intelligence-led border risk assessments and streamlining biosecurity decision-making.
Gambling Reforms, Preventative Health, and Telecommunications Developments
Anika Wells introduced the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 to Parliament. The Bill aims to restrict gambling advertising across television and digital platforms through stronger consumer protections to reduce gambling-related harm nationwide. The Bill was referred to an inquiry by the Greens and the Coalition and is due to report by 17 August.
Following a feasibility study recommending stronger safeguards for Australian children from unhealthy food advertising, Independent MP Sophie Scamps convened a Preventative Health Roundtable, urging the Government to act on its recommendations amid rising concern over childhood obesity and associated chronic health risks.
The Federal Government’s new rules are now in effect for telecommunications companies, requiring timely, clear and accessible publication of mobile coverage maps to improve consumer transparency, accountability and informed choice across the industry.
NDIS, Higher Education, and Social Cohesion Moves
The Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme released a report as part of its inquiry into the NDIS, examining the extent of non-compliance, fraud and “sharp practices” within the scheme. It also investigated the effectiveness of existing safeguards in protecting participants and public funds. The report outlines a series of recommendations to strengthen the scheme’s integrity, oversight and accountability, including improved provider regulation, stronger fraud detection and compliance mechanisms, and enhanced participant safeguards.
Jason Clare released the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, showing strong employment outcomes for graduates and increasing movement between university and vocational education. The data indicates 75.4 per cent of undergraduates secured full-time employment within four to six months of completing their studies, an increase from 74 per cent in 2024.
The Federal Government announced the launch of the Social Cohesion Education Hub, a national online platform providing schools with free teaching resources to combat antisemitism and promote inclusion and social cohesion.