Finance in Focus Portal
In other news
ABS: Taxation Revenue, Australia (22 April 2025)
ABS: Labour Force, Australia, Detailed (24 April 2025)
Afterpay: Why Credit Cards Give Gen Z the Ick (23 April 2025)
AFIA Report: The role of the finance industry in the transition to sustainable transport
A new report commissioned by AFIA and conducted by Deloitte Access Economics identifies major barriers to low-emission vehicle (LEV) adoption, including infrastructure investment shortfalls, fragmented policies, and insufficient government incentives. While the finance industry is poised to drive this economic transition, stronger government leadership is crucial to unlock investment and fast-track electric vehicle (EV) uptake.
AFIA Federal Budget Analysis
AFIA’s Federal Budget 2025-26 analysis reveals a backdrop of modest economic growth and persistent challenges. While inflation is easing and labour market conditions remain relatively strong, households continue to face cost-of-living pressures and higher interest rates.
‘Cost-of-Living’ at the centre of Election 2025: CALC’s consumer-centric priorities revealed
The Consumer Action Law Centre (CALC) has revealed a list of its top consumer centric priorities to make life fairer and better for all Australians.
Instant Asset Write Off extended
The Senate passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives and Integrity) Bill 2025, which included an amendment to extend the $20,000 instant asset write-off (IAWO) to 30 June 2025 for small businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million.
The CR Code repealed
The Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2025 repeals the previous code. The only change compared to the previous code is to amend section 24 of the CR Code to permit the Information Commissioner to defer an independent review by up to two years.
ASIC issues sustainability reporting regulatory guide
ASIC has published a regulatory guide on sustainability reporting following an extensive public consultation with stakeholders.
OAIC’s digital ID regulatory strategy
The Office of the Australian Information Commission is the privacy regulator of Australia’s Digital ID System and other APP identity-related entities.
Proposed financial institutions supervisory levies for 2025–26
Treasury is seeking views on proposed financial institutions supervisory levies for the 2025–26 financial year. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) collects these levies to recover:
ACCC consults on assessment guidelines for new merger regime
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has marked a further milestone in the transition steps towards the new merger regime with the release of the draft merger assessment guidelines for consultation.
Monthly ABS CPI indicator
The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicator rose 2.4 per cent in the 12 months to February 2025, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Expressions of interest to better protect renters’ personal information
The Department of Finance and the Treasury invite organisations to express their interest to work with government to pilot the use of Digital ID and the Consumer Data Right (CDR) to better protect renters’ personal information.
Scam prevention: Westpac SafeBlock – Stopping scammers in their tracks
Westpac has announced the introduction of SafeBlock, a new feature that allows customers to immediately block their account when they suspect they are being scammed. The technology adds an extra layer of defence in the fight against scams and fraud.
Scam prevention: CBA research shows less than 10 per cent of Aussies would discuss their scam experience with family
New research commissioned by CommBank shows more than 90 per cent of Aussies believe that talking about scams with their loved ones will help to build awareness, however only 8 percent say they would be comfortable discussing with family about being scammed.
In other news
ASIC makes new clearing and settlement rules to promote competition (25 February)
House of Representatives Committee on Economics Report on Review of the ACCC Annual Reports (March)
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas speech about regulating the gaming industry (25 March)
ABS: Australian National Accounts: Finance and Wealth (27 March)
ASIC review into the motor vehicle finance sector
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is launching a review into the motor vehicle finance sector this month with the aim to drive better consumer outcomes, particularly for those living in regional and remote locations, including First Nations communities.
AFR Banking Summit
The Australian Financial Review Banking Summit was held on Tuesday 18 March at the Hilton Sydney, which heard from a number of industry, media, and regulatory speakers.
AFCA opens joint consultation on draft Approach to family violence and Approach to financial elder abuse
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is inviting feedback from stakeholders on two Approach documents that focus on key areas within banking and finance.
AFCA webinar on its Approach to Small Business Lending
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is conducting a check-in with stakeholders by webinar after a period of 12 months following implementation of its Approach to Lending to Small Business.
Strengthening the enforcement of the Franchising Code
Minister for Small Business Julie Collins has announced the Government will aim to strengthen the enforcement of the Franchising Code of Conduct and extend protections from Unfair Contract Terms and Unfair Trading Practices to all businesses regulated under the Code, including automotive dealerships.