Weekly Wrap Up – 12 December 2025
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The Spring parliamentary sitting resumed this week against a backdrop of heated political debate and mounting hip-pocket frustration. While the Prime Minister weathered attacks over golf club memberships and community sports grants, Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan moved quickly to back Andrew Hastie after a bold broadside from Pauline Hanson – an attack not uniformly supported within her party. The mood across the building was captured neatly by one commentator: “people are angry and they’re broke.”
This sitting week required the Albanese Government to carefully navigate the chaos of parliament while also pushing ahead with its reform agenda within the digital economy.
The Online Safety Amendment Bill passed the Senate on Thursday, delivering substantial new enforcement powers to the eSafety Commissioner. Meanwhile, in a joint press conference with impacted parents and advocacy groups, the Prime Minister and Communications Minister Anika Wells released the long-awaited exposure draft of the Digital Duty of Care. The reform fundamentally rewrites the rules of engagement for digital platforms in Australia. The proposed regime applies a much broader safety framework to tech for the first time, legally requiring platforms to design and maintain a safe environment. With Canberra eager to showcase world-leading laws at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, the draft is already facing scrutiny from the Opposition, the Greens and parts of industry.
The Albanese Government also pressed ahead with its post PwC accountability reforms through the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Misconduct) Bill, reinforcing its broader response to the PwC tax leaks scandal. The parliamentary sitting week also saw work on the foreign resident CGT integrity measures, progression on the Albanese Government’s national Domestic Gas Reservation framework. Treasury consultations also continued on discretionary trusts and non-compete clauses. One Nation again demonstrated its ability to shape the policy debate, putting forward a proposal to expand early access to superannuation just days before the 2026 Super Summit in Parliament House on Wednesday.
This week reinforced the Albanese Government’s decision to pivot from voluntary industry codes to enforceable statutory obligations for the tech sector. The consultation window is rapidly closing, there are only a handful of sitting weeks left for the year, but the political contest of ideas remains as lively as ever.
Making headlines this week
Online Safety Regulation Moves
Victoria work-from-home reforms delayed by parliamentary inquiry
The Victorian Government’s proposed work-from-home reforms have faced a setback after the Opposition and crossbench combined to refer the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026 to a parliamentary inquiry, which is scheduled to report by 20 October.
The move complicates the Government’s efforts to pass the legislation before the 2026 State Election, despite offering a series of amendments aimed at winning parliamentary support, including delayed commencement dates for businesses, greater flexibility to refuse work-from-home requests and protections for existing remote working arrangements. With limited sitting days remaining before the election, the inquiry’s findings are likely to play a significant role in determining whether the reforms can be enacted this term.
Top Talking Points
Parliament Returns: Federal Parliament returned for a two-week sitting period. The Government focused on progressing its social media minimum age reforms and early childhood wage measures; meanwhile, the Coalition pursued a private member’s Bill to repeal federal firearm regulations.
Social Media Ban: Parliament passed the Government’s legislation strengthening enforcement of the social media minimum age framework, granting the eSafety Commissioner expanded investigative powers and increasing penalties for non-compliance.
One Nation Superannuation: One Nation unveiled a proposal that would allow workers to redirect up to three percentage points of their compulsory 12 per cent superannuation contributions towards rent or mortgage payments for up to three years.
Non-Compete Clauses: Treasury released draft legislation to ban non-compete clauses for workers earning under $190,100 as part of broader restraint-of-trade reforms. Consultation closes on 2 October 2026.
Polling: YouGov polling shows One Nation is now leading the primary vote with 31 per cent, followed by Labor on 28 per cent. Support for the Coalition fell by two points to 18 per cent.
Things to watch
15 September, the AFR will 
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18 September, the ABS will Regulatory focus on inflation, fintech reform and banking data standards
RBA Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter stated that the RBA remains prepared to raise interest rates if inflationary pressures persist, reiterating that returning inflation to target remains its highest priority. Hunter also noted that the three rate increases delivered earlier this year are likely to have weighed on housing market activity.
The Government released its response to the Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox Review, agreeing to develop a financial innovation strategy, establish a Treasury-convened committee and progress repeal of the current sandbox framework through a future legislative process. It also supported the review’s remaining recommendations.
The ACCC found data quality across the Consumer Data Right banking regime is improving, but identified ongoing issues with accuracy and consistency. The regulator highlighted delayed interest rate updates, incorrect loan classifications, missing transaction identifiers and inconsistent data standards, warning these shortcomings continue to affect comparison, lending and accounting services.
Defence reforms progress as Government strengthens military capabilities
This week marked two years since the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide delivered its final report. The Government updated the implementation status of 15 recommendations as part of its ongoing response.
Matt Keogh appointed Natasha Stott Despoja AC as Deputy Commissioner of the Defence and Veteran Service Commission, where she will lead an inquiry into military sexual violence, consistent with recommendations of the Royal Commission.
The Government announced a $2.4 billion investment over six years to strengthen Australia’s air and missile defence capabilities and support the domestic defence industry. Delivered through the second tranche of AIR 6500 and Defence’s partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia, the funding forms part of the Government’s broader $30 billion commitment to developing an integrated air and missile defence system.
Gas, environmental and carbon market reforms
The Government released exposure draft legislation to establish a National Domestic Gas Reservation Scheme. Under the proposal, gas exporters would be required to reserve up to 20 per cent of production for the domestic market, adding an estimated 200 petajoules of supply annually. Consultation closes on 24 September, with obligations proposed to commence from 2028.
Murray Watt opened consultation on the next stage of its environmental law reforms, seeking feedback on streamlined project approvals, landscape approvals, restoration contribution arrangements and measures to improve transparency. The reforms are intended to deliver stronger environmental protections alongside faster approvals for housing, energy and critical minerals projects. Consultation closes on 13 October 2026.
Chris Bowen confirmed a Senate majority will oppose efforts to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management method, paving the way for expanded carbon sequestration projects in native forests. The Government also proposed stronger safeguards, including increased forest protection requirements and restrictions on ACCUs generated within the proposed Great National Koala Park.
Telecommunications, freight and urban renewal initiatives
The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025 passed the House of Representatives this week, establishing the framework for nationwide outdoor voice and SMS coverage. Debate focused on implementation timeframes, direct-to-device satellite technology, handset compatibility and service standards.
Catherine King opened applications for the $52 million Transport Resilience and Capacity Kickstart (TRACK) pilot program, including $26 million to shift freight from road to rail, and refreshed the Freight Industry Reference Panel to strengthen supply chain productivity and resilience. King also appointed Professor Eva Hanly and Christopher Rayner to the High Speed Rail Authority Board as development of the project continues.
The New South Wales Government released a draft rezoning proposal for the Woollahra-Edgecliff precinct, which would enable up to 9,400 new homes over 20 years around Edgecliff Station and the proposed Woollahra Station. The proposal includes building heights of up to 34 storeys, affordable housing contributions of 3-15 per cent, and a value-capture mechanism for development within 800 metres of the new station, with consultation open until 7 October.
Labour market reform and health sector leadership changes
The Government released draft legislation to ban non-compete clauses for Australian workers earning under $190,100 a year, the Fair Work Act high-income threshold. The reforms are aimed at making it easier for workers to move to better-paying jobs and improving competition and productivity.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, Mark Butler announced an additional $82.9 million for national suicide prevention services, with funding to support 36 organisations through the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program.
New South Wales Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM announced she will retire in March 2027 after more than 30 years in the public health system. Since becoming Secretary in 2022, Pearce has led New South Wales Health’s post-pandemic recovery, workforce reforms and initiatives to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal communities.