Oceania: Strategy

Prime Minister Albanese's speech on 15 July 2026 marked a decisive shift in Australia's approach to artificial intelligence, from voluntary guidance to mandatory national regulation. The announcement establishes Australian Standards for AI, copyright licensing requirements, a national planning framework for data centres, energy obligations, and workplace protections—all underpinned by the concept of sovereign AI.

Space-related assets are becoming investable for infrastructure investors, with opportunities in ground stations, mission control assets, data-processing facilities and dual-use platforms. However, investors must carefully evaluate technology refresh risks, regulatory complexities including spectrum and orbital rights, and revenue bankability through counterparty quality rather than relying solely on sector growth projections.

Once the domain of government agencies, today the global space landscape is increasingly driven by private organisations pursuing a more entrepreneurial and commercial utilisation of space. We have come to depend on space-enabled technologies, such as satellite-based services, for everyday activities including navigation, telecommunications, weather forecasting, emergency management, banking, mining, agriculture and transportation.

South Australia has announced a Royal Commission into Artificial Intelligence, set to commence in October 2026 and deliver findings by July 2027. The inquiry will examine AI's economic and social impacts across policy, education, public services, workforce transformation, and infrastructure. Businesses using or developing AI should prepare for potential regulatory reforms and consider engaging with the inquiry process.

NSW's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms aim to address the state's housing shortage by permitting diverse housing types near transport hubs, but a recent panel discussion revealed a critical question: will removing planning barriers alone actually deliver more housing? The debate highlights tensions between state intervention and local government authority, while examining whether planning reform can overcome feasibility challenges, infrastructure constraints, and affordability concerns that continue to impe

Australia's Department of Home Affairs has introduced Ministerial Direction 119, fundamentally reshaping how skilled visa applications are prioritised based on occupation type and applicant location. For the first time, the Skills in Demand visa falls under priority processing rules, while regional location and accredited sponsor status no longer carry the weight they once did under the previous framework.

Australia's Tranche 2 AML/CTF reforms are forcing professional service firms to confront a critical strategic question: should they continue offering services that now fall under regulatory oversight?

Much of the discussion around AI has focused on the opportunities it creates. Increased productivity, reduced costs, better customer experiences and faster decision-making are all compelling reasons for businesses to embrace the technology.

Ankura's Featured Insights page showcases the firm's latest thought leadership across restructuring, sports infrastructure, cybersecurity threats, joint ventures, and financial operations. The collection spans critical analysis of Australian insolvency data, emerging AI-powered cyber attacks, and strategic guidance for navigating complex commercial conflicts and value creation in high-growth environments.

Space-related assets are becoming investable for infrastructure investors, with opportunities in ground stations, mission control assets, data-processing facilities and dual-use platforms. However, investors must carefully evaluate technology refresh risks, regulatory complexities including spectrum and orbital rights, and revenue bankability through counterparty quality rather than relying solely on sector growth projections.

Once the domain of government agencies, today the global space landscape is increasingly driven by private organisations pursuing a more entrepreneurial and commercial utilisation of space. We have come to depend on space-enabled technologies, such as satellite-based services, for everyday activities including navigation, telecommunications, weather forecasting, emergency management, banking, mining, agriculture and transportation.

Cathro and Partners' expanded Cathro Clarity dashboard reveals diverging trends in Australian insolvency: corporate appointments have nearly tripled since FY22 while personal bankruptcies rose only 15%, with debt agreements now accounting for 43% of personal insolvencies. The data exposes striking industry patterns, particularly healthcare's disproportionate representation in personal bankruptcies compared to corporate failures, and construction's dominance across both categories.