Australia: Government Contracts, Procurement & PPP

Local government infrastructure faces mounting pressures from ageing assets, maintenance backlogs and extreme weather events. How can councils build asset resilience to protect community services...

The New South Wales Government has released a comprehensive policy framework for data centre investment, establishing six core principles that developments must address while promising streamlined planning approvals. The framework introduces significant new compliance obligations around energy procurement, cost recovery contributions, and demand flexibility, including a $200,000/MW Major Network Upgrade Fee and requirements for renewable energy agreements with minimum 40% wind component.

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.

Delivering a data centre in Australia requires early and informed navigation of a complex legal and regulatory landscape. Site selection must account for power, water and planning constraints.

Australian charities operate in a position of significant trust. They safeguard public funds, deliver essential services and support some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Failing to address the allocation of cost escalation risk between negotiating parties at the ‘front end’ can create fertile ground for project delays, or even abandonment...

The Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) enforces the Provider Standards.

In an increasingly complex geo-political environment, the Australian Government appears to have demonstrated greater commitment to the enforcement of sanctions under Australian law.

The updated CPRs not only introduce changes to clarify existing rules but also include changes to thresholds and other substantive amendments.