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Australia's environmental compliance landscape undergoes a major transformation on 1 July 2026, as the next stage of EPBC Act reforms establishes two new regulatory bodies and introduces stricter compliance requirements. With half a billion dollars in federal funding supporting these changes, businesses face new audit mechanisms, heightened penalties, and expanded data-sharing obligations that will fundamentally reshape how environmental approvals are managed and enforced.

Workplace messages sent through private chat platforms like WhatsApp, Teams, or Slack can give rise to defamation claims in Queensland if they communicate harmful statements about someone's reputation to even a small group of colleagues. Understanding when internal workplace communications cross the line into defamation, what defences are available, and the potential legal consequences for both individuals and employers is crucial for anyone using digital communication in professional settings.

The Federal Court has dismissed creditors' applications for interlocutory relief to restrain the effectuation of a deed of company arrangement involving a major Sydney CBD property development. The decision examines when courts will grant urgent relief in DOCA disputes, the critical importance of undertakings as to damages, and the circumstances under which a DOCA may be terminated for improper purpose.