Deb Frecklington, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity · Original source
The Queensland Government has introduced legislation creating a new offence for the non-consensual creation of intimate images or intimate audio using digital technology, including AI-generated images and nudify applications. The offence also covers digitally generated people who closely resemble an identifiable real person and carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the laws close a loophole, with deepfake content having been used to cyber bully students and teachers in Queensland schools.
Australian Bureau of Statistics · Original source
New Australian Bureau of Statistics causes-of-death data show dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, was behind 19,019 deaths in 2025, passing 10 per cent of the national total for the first time and nearly double its 2006 share. Women made up 61.1 per cent of dementia deaths. Overall mortality returned to its pre-pandemic trend, while drug-induced deaths reached 2,063, with stimulant-related deaths up from 504 in 2021 to 779
Jim Chalmers, Treasurer · Original source
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 4) Bill 2026, which establishes an Innovative Business CGT Concession so early investors in innovative start-ups receive a significant discount on future capital gains. The Bill retargets the Research and Development Tax Incentive from 1 July 2028 towards core R&D, especially by young firms, and expands venture capital tax incentives from 1 July 2027. It builds on $3.8 billion in tax relief for businesses and start-ups.
Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister · Original source
In a speech to the House of Representatives on 27 October, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Parliament to pass the Digital Duty of Care Bill, placing a positive obligation on tech companies to protect Australians from seriously harmful and illegal online content. Social media, online games and AI chatbots would need risk assessments and must protect under-18s from harmful content and addictive features, and nudify apps would be banned. Cyberbullying response times would halve from 48 to 24 hours, with fines of up to $109.2 million.
