Oceania: Government, Public Sector

On 12 May 2026, Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down what he described as “the most important and ambitious Budget in decades”. The backdrop was demanding: a global oil shock driven by conflict in the Middle East, headline inflation forecast to reach 5% by mid-2026, and sustained cost-of-living pressure on households and businesses.

The 2026-27 Federal Budget faces the challenge of balancing ambition with caution amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty. With rumoured reforms to capital gains tax discounts, trust taxation, and negative gearing on the table, businesses are seeking clarity on policy settings that could fundamentally reshape investment structures and tax planning strategies. Will the government pursue transformative reform or opt for measured adjustments to strengthen national resilience?

Australia's 2026-27 federal budget introduces sweeping immigration reforms that will reshape how skilled workers are selected, where temporary visa holders can buy property, and how quickly migrant tradespeople can enter the workforce. The changes mark the first overhaul of the skilled migration points test in over a decade and signal a strategic shift toward prioritizing onshore applicants already living in Australia. What do these policy adjustments mean for employers, migrants, and the broader trajectory

Australia's proposed capital gains tax reforms may inadvertently undermine government efforts to strengthen sovereign defence capability and innovation. As the nation faces increasing global instability and supply chain vulnerabilities, changes to the CGT regime could discourage investment in defence-focused startups precisely when such investment is most critical to national security objectives.

Australia’s AML/CTF framework has been significantly reformed, expanding obligations to new sectors including real estate professionals, lawyers, accountants, and precious metal dealers.

From 1 July 2026, Australian real estate businesses that broker, sell or transfer property may be required to enrol with AUSTRAC, implement a written AML/CTF programme and conduct customer due diligence before providing designated services

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...

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.

Australia's 2026-27 Federal Budget introduces targeted capital gains tax reforms for foreign investors in renewable energy infrastructure while focusing on system integration and market modernisation. The Budget notably avoids substantial new funding for large-scale renewable generation, raising questions about how the nation will achieve its ambitious 82% renewable electricity target by 2030.

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