Housing policies at lock-up stage with Greens support
Labor has had a breakthrough on its stalled housing agenda after securing Greens support for a federal shared-equity scheme and build-to-rent policies.
laws
Beefed-up hate laws won’t touch religious free pass
With social cohesion under strain, one Australian state is trumpeting tougher hate laws and penalties but will keep exceptions for "genuine" religious beliefs.
Workplace protections from sex offenders needed: report
A report has called for law changes to provide better protection from sex offenders for children working alongside adults across the nation.
Expansive migration laws to deport, ban entry imminent
A trio of migration bills with sweeping government powers is set to be passed after the coalition backed the amendments amid mounting criticisms of overreach.
Australia needs an AI law to stop copyright ‘pirates’
Artificial intelligence tools, including chatbots from Google, Amazon and OpenAI, need to be regulated by law in Australia, an inquiry recommends.
Human rights commissioner slams new youth crime laws
The Queensland government has been accused of "plumbing the depths" by pushing through laws that will ensure children face harsher penalties for serious crimes.
Deportation, travel ban and dogs in detention laws pass
Three migration bills giving the government extensive powers to deport non-citizens and bar entry to Australia for some nationalities have passed the Senate.
Tech giant concern as social media ban passes
The parent company for Facebook has hit out at a looming ban on under 16s for social media, labelling the process as rushed.
Why your words and photos might already be training AI
More tech companies are introducing AI features to their services, and authors and experts warn it can be hard – if not impossible – to opt out.
Migration furore treats foreign students as ‘problems’
As the federal opposition prepares to reveal plans to cap international students, the political debate has left many foreign students feeling unwanted.
Independents up in arms over ‘rigged’ donations reforms
The major political parties have been slammed for "rigging" the system to boost their chances of winning, after agreeing on a political donations reform bills.
Social media ban ‘unenforceable’, experts say
Keeping Australian children under 16 off social media will be unenforceable and tech giants should not be tasked with age verification, experts say.
Baby Shark won’t bite: YouTube entertainers issue plea
Prominent Australian children's entertainers are urging the federal government to pardon YouTube from its proposed social media ban to save an industry.
Truth-telling in limbo after minister cancels meeting
The Queensland government has postponed plans to discuss the Path to Treaty process, ensuring a truth-telling and healing inquiry's future is in limbo.
What the US election tells us about deepfake politics
Australian MPs are weighing how to curtail deepfake election advertisements, but a prominent artificial intelligence expert says a ban might be unnecessary.
Ban on landlords evicting tenants for no good reason
Tenants would no longer be evicted without a valid reason and face softer penalties for breaking leases in reforms aimed at making life easier for renters.
Read null about it: privacy changes could bury news
Changes to Australian privacy laws could open an avenue for powerful people to shut down news coverage, a group has told a Senate inquiry.
Adults only: online codes to limit porn, gaming access
Australian internet users will have their age tested before they can access some gaming and pornographic websites under wide-ranging online safety proposals.
Deepfake images harming Aussie kids and businesses
Australia is being warned to bring in urgent laws and education to tackle AI-generated deepfake images that put companies and children at risk.
Australian-first Airbnb bookings tax clears last hurdle
Holidaymakers will soon have to pay an extra 7.5 per cent fee on Airbnb and Stayz bookings under an Australian-first levy ticked off by Victorian parliament.
AI deepfake ads set to screen during federal election
An inquiry into AI technology has recommended laws be introduced to stop deepfake political ads, but not in time for the next federal election.
Banning kids from social media could cause greater harm
Mental health experts don't support proposals to ban children from accessing social media and are warning it could have unintended consequences.
Children would lie about their age to evade YouTube ban
A teenage media proprietor says young Australians need to know more about a proposed social media ban as it could impact their education.
Parent groups urge total ban on child social media use
No child should be allowed to access social media networks in Australia, an inquiry has heard, and parents would also benefit from a blanket ban.
‘The bot will see you now’: why AI could be the new HR
More companies are using artificial intelligence to interview and rank job candidates but the government's proposed mandatory rules could curtail the trend.
PM’s early election warning labelled an ’empty threat’
The prime minister has threatened a double dissolution over resistance to his government's housing policy but experts don't think this will benefit his party.
Early election ‘stunt’ to ram through housing bill
The government has failed to pass its housing legislation through the Senate a second time, giving it the first trigger to call a double dissolution election.
Aussie companies should not be shy but careful about AI
Businesses need to monitor for bias, copyright infractions and ethical issues when using AI, a group has warned, but should not ignore the technology.
Social media misinformation to be policed by watchdog
The communications watchdog will be given new powers to crack down on misinformation on digital platforms under proposed federal laws.
‘Kill switch’ considered to tackle high-risk AI
Artificial intelligence has been met with both concern and hype but government guidelines could help regulate its use in high-risk situations.
Australian right-to-disconnect laws come into effect
Australian workers will have the right to disconnect from work outside of paid hours but businesses have concerns while a HR expert fears many aren't ready.