Australia: Government Contracts, Procurement & PPP

On 7 May 2026, the Federal Government announced a mandatory domestic gas reservation scheme, to be legislated through Parliament.

The Albanese Government has introduced the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No 1) Bill 2026 (the Bill), proposing a range of amendments across Australia’s workplace relations framework.

Intellectual property rights in defense contracts present a complex challenge for investors and innovators, as government procurement models grant states broad usage rights over both foreground and background IP. While traditional frameworks like DFARS have historically favored government control to preserve national security optionality, recent reforms are beginning to shift the balance toward incentivizing private innovation and competitive pricing.

Local governments in Western Australia increasingly use artificial intelligence to streamline procurement assessments for expressions of interest and requests for tender.

In response to surging fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has introduced an emergency order that applies to the entirety of the road transport...

Following the Australian Government’s new federal hate crimes legislation that commenced in January 2026, HSF Kramer Partners Jacqui Wootton and Alice Molan and Solicitor Shaun Milligan...

In the media, In practice and courts, Publication, Cases, and Legislation

In April 2025, the Albanese Government pledged A$1.2 billion to establish a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve (Strategic Reserve).

The Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 commenced on 18 July 2025, making Social Impact Assessments and Community Benefit Agreements...