# Australia daily digest — 19 Oct 2026

Economic and energy policy led Australia's six releases on 19 October. Treasurer Jim Chalmers released draft rules to raise reporting thresholds for proprietary companies and set out his APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting agenda, while Queensland shortlisted four proponents for new gas-fired power in Central Queensland. NSW Health warned of a surge in hospital presentations linked to peptide use, the Minns Government moved to protect 400 Hunter mining jobs, and the AFP urged vigilance against foreign interference.

Source-local date: Monday 19 October 2026 (Australia/Sydney). 6 release(s). Canonical: https://mediarelease.co/digests/au/2026-10-19/

## Releases

### [APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02095-apec-finance-ministers-meeting-19102026.html)

Issued by: Jim Chalmers, Treasurer · Original source: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/apec-finance-ministers-meeting-0

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Hong Kong on Tuesday, with fuel and energy security a major focus as global oil prices sit above $100 a barrel. He will meet China’s Finance Minister Lan Fo’an, Singapore’s Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Zou Jiayi, and address investors managing more than $2 trillion. APEC economies account for over 73 per cent of Australia’s trade.

### [Strong flow of gas-fired power proposals in Central Queensland](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02094-strong-flow-of-gas-fired-power-proposals-in-central-queensland-19102026.html)

Issued by: David Janetzki, Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership · Original source: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/106254

A Queensland Government tender for 400MW of new gas-fired generation in Central Queensland by 2032 drew indicative bids from all 10 qualified proponents, together identifying more than 4GW of potential capacity. Four proponents, AGL, APA Group, ANZA Power and Quinbrook, have been shortlisted and will face further evaluation and due diligence. Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki said the response to the process, run by Queensland Investment Corporation, exceeded expectations.

### [NSW Health warns of surge in hospital presentations linked to peptide use](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02093-nsw-health-warns-of-surge-in-hospital-presentations-linked-to-peptide-19102026.html)

Issued by: Ryan Park, Minister for Health · Original source: https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/nsw-health-warns-of-surge-hospital-presentations-linked-to-peptide-use

NSW Health has warned against using unapproved peptide products after surveillance data showed 1,180 emergency department presentations linked to peptide use between 1 July 2025 and 30 September 2026. Monthly presentations rose from five in July 2025 to more than 217 in September 2026. Peptides such as BPC-157, TB-500 and retatrutide, often marketed on social media for weight loss or anti-ageing, are not approved in Australia, Health Minister Ryan Park and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

### [Minns Labor Government steps in to protect 400 Hunter jobs ahead of Christmas](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02092-minns-labor-government-steps-in-to-protect-400-hunter-jobs-ahead-of-19102026.html)

Issued by: Chris Minns, Premier; Courtney Houssos, Minister for Natural Resources · Original source: https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/minns-labor-government-steps-to-protect-400-hunter-jobs-ahead-of-christmas

The NSW Government will introduce legislation in the next sitting fortnight to protect 400 jobs at MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine in the Hunter, after a High Court judgment on 7 October 2026 created legal uncertainty. The Bill would authorise annual production of up to 16.5 million tonnes until 2032, taking effect only once MACH Energy signs a Jobs Guarantee to keep its permanent workforce until 2032, Premier Chris Minns and Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos said.

### [Raising reporting thresholds for proprietary companies](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02091-raising-reporting-thresholds-for-proprietary-companies-19102026.html)

Issued by: Jim Chalmers, Treasurer · Original source: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/raising-reporting-thresholds-proprietary-companies

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has released draft regulations for consultation that would raise financial reporting thresholds for proprietary companies, which have not been updated since 2019. Companies would only need to prepare yearly financial, directors’ and sustainability reports above $100 million in consolidated revenue (from $50 million) or $50 million in consolidated gross assets (from $25 million). The Government says the changes will save business over $210 million a year in compliance costs. Consultation closes on 2 November 2026.

### [AFP strengthens efforts to safeguard communities from foreign interference](https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02070-afp-strengthens-efforts-to-safeguard-communities-from-foreign-19102026.html)

Issued by: Australian Federal Police · Original source: https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media-release/afp-strengthens-efforts-safeguard-communities-foreign-interference

The Australian Federal Police is urging communities across Australia to remain vigilant against foreign interference and report suspicious activity to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400. The reminder follows the conviction and imprisonment of a second person for foreign interference offences last month. Since 2018, the AFP has charged eight people with foreign interference offences, with two convicted and four still before the courts. AFP Commander Matthew Gale said community awareness and reporting were among the best defences.

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