A Summary
Build-to-Rent: Incentives for developers to build apartment complexes with affordable rentals, offering five-year leases and at least 10% of units below market rate.
$500 million allocated to improve energy efficiency in public housing through measures like new air conditioning, insulation, and solar panels.
Ban on Under-16s: Children and teenagers under 16 will be prohibited from using social media platforms. Social media companies have a year to develop age-verification technologies.
Enhanced Protections: Greater restrictions on how evidence relating to sexual experiences is given in court, including recorded evidence hearings to avoid re-traumatizing victims.
Complainants can now publish self-identifying information or consent for others to do so.
Mandatory Code of Conduct: Supermarkets will be subject to a code ensuring fair treatment of farmers and suppliers, with potential multi-million-dollar fines for breaches.
New Board Structure: The RBA board is split into two separate boards for monetary policy and governance.
The RBA must now consider both inflation and employment when setting interest rates.
Framework for Investment: A framework is established to attract investment in renewable projects and critical minerals, including potential tax credits for hydrogen production and processing costs for critical minerals.
Return to Detention: A cohort of migrants released following a High Court ruling can be returned to detention if another country agrees to accept them.
Fairer Slot Allocation: Changes to the system for allocating airport slots to airlines, aiming for greater fairness and competition.
Buy Now, Pay Later Regulation: BNPL schemes will be subject to similar rules as credit card issuers, including better complaint management and credit suitability assessments.
National Student Ombudsman: An ombudsman will be established to handle complaints and investigations into student safety at universities, including gender-based violence and academic staffing levels.
Targeted Rules: More scrutiny for mergers in concentrated markets like groceries and aviation, with a faster process for less controversial mergers.
Supermarket Surcharge Ban: A review of merchant fee charges is underway, with a ban on debit card surcharges planned for 2026.
References to Queen Elizabeth II removed from Australian laws.
This is just a summary of some of the most significant changes. For more detailed information, please refer to official government sources.