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RECORD RADAR · ROTATION 10
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SUN 05 JUL 2026
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— ROTATION 010 / 2026.07.05
Rotation 010 /036
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The 36 new FOI releases from Federal government departments and eight key agencies from 28 June to 5 July 2026 are summarised below. Notable this week: Australia was briefed to stay "non-committal" on transitioning away from fossil fuels at COP31; the government's Afghanistan war crimes legal aid scheme had committed nearly $10 million across 120 applications; MSD lobbied the health minister's office after the pricing committee rejected wider PBS access for cancer drug; and details of how Sydney's most expensive private schools received tens of millions in Commonwealth funding. Key companies mentioned: AirTrunk, Westpac, Microsoft, Qantas, Boeing, Lendlease, NextDC, AirTrunk, Anthropic, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Woodside Energy, Alcoa, Ernst & Young, CSL Australia, CLIA, Ports Australia, MUA, Teach Us Consent Global, Aeonmed. If you've been forwarded this email, you can subscribe here. To find out more about how to lodge your own FOI requests, head to Right to Know. The initial release summaries are produced by AI, but verified and written by humans. All feedback is welcome, just hit reply.
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36
Found
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10
Recommended-read
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21
Look
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34%
Avg redact
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ATTORNEY GENERAL
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2 found · 1 recommended-read · 1 look
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READ
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ATTORNEY GENERAL
· % REDACTED 15%
Afghanistan war crimes legal aid scheme nears $10 million in commitments
The government's legal assistance scheme for current and former ADF members facing investigation over alleged Afghanistan war crimes had committed nearly $10 million across 120 applications by November 2025, with about half that amount actually paid to lawyers. Emails between AGD and Defence's Afghanistan Inquiry Response Task Force show officials preparing updated figures ahead of Supplementary Estimates, including that three pending applications were worth a further $889,000. Redactions: s.47F and s.47E(d).
See the disclosure →
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ATTORNEY GENERAL
· % REDACTED 30%
Abbott bristled at foreign influence reporting for Orbán-linked think tank role
Former PM Tony Abbott registered under Australia's Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme as a fellow of the Danube Institute, which the AG Department classified as a "foreign government related entity". Abbott grew frustrated with renewal requirements, telling officials to skip the "bureaucratic rigamarole" and update his registration themselves. His registration lapsed in February 2026 after he failed to renew, requiring AGD to walk his office through re-creation. Redactions: s.47F and s.22.
See the disclosure →
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DFAT
· % REDACTED 45%
Abbott got diplomatic help for Orbán-linked trips despite DFAT policy concerns
DFAT's Vienna embassy repeatedly arranged Hungarian government airport facilitation for former PM Tony Abbott's trips to Budapest between 2019 and 2025, even as officials internally questioned whether travel support policies permitted it. Abbott's office described the visits as personal business, but he appeared as a keynote speaker at Orbán government-linked events including the Danube Institute's Geopolitical Summit. Documents addressing the diplomatic and reputational risks of the arrangement were withheld in full. Redactions: s.22(1)(a)(ii), s.47F, s.47E(d), s.33(a)(iii) and s.33(b).
See the disclosure →
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TREASURY
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2 found · 1 recommended-read · 1 look
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READ
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TREASURY
· % REDACTED 40%
Fuel tax credits forecast to hit $13 billion as excise cut scenario modelled
Treasury's internal fuel tax credit forecasting model projects net credits rising from $10.3 billion in 2025-26 to $13.1 billion by 2029-30, driven overwhelmingly by diesel, which accounts for over 90 per cent of the total. The release also includes scenario modelling of a 61% excise reduction, estimating a net fiscal impact of around $1.1 billion in 2025-26 alone. Redactions: s.22, covering several fuel categories, assumptions and scenario details.
See the disclosure →
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TREASURY
· % REDACTED 10%
$23 million Cyber Wardens program hitting enrolment targets but lagging on graduations
The $23 million Cyber Wardens grant to the Council of Small Business Organisations had attracted nearly 29,000 enrolees by mid-2025, meeting 99 per cent of its milestone target, but only 66 per cent of the graduation target. About 8,050 unique small businesses had at least one graduate. Redactions: s.22 on some project plan and budget detail.
See the disclosure →
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EDUCATION
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1 found · 1 recommended-read
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READ
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EDUCATION
· % REDACTED 0%
More than $277 million in Commonwealth funding flow to high-fee Sydney private schools
Ten of Sydney's most prestigious independent schools collectively received tens of millions in Commonwealth recurrent funding between 2019 and 2024. Trinity Grammar was the largest recipient at $14.5 million in 2024, followed by Pymble Ladies' College ($12.7 million) and Knox Grammar ($10.7 million). The release covers base funding, Choice and Affordability Fund grants, and targeted payments including chaplaincy and wellbeing programs. Released in full.
See the disclosure →
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ASIC
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1 found · 1 recommended-read
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ASIC
Unpaid ASIC fines hit $87m write-off
Twelve defendants owed outstanding pecuniary penalties as at 31 May 2026, spanning matters from August 2025 to May 2026. The list includes Westpac, but the list was created less than a week after ASIC fined Westpac $26m. ASIC has raised an impairment allowance of $87.469 million for amounts assessed as likely unrecoverable due to bankruptcy or external administration. Redactions: none.
See the disclosure →
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HEALTH
· % REDACTED 65%
Cancer drug's path to subsidised access blocked by price dispute
Merck Sharp & Dohme sought to widen subsidised access to its cancer immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) so it could be prescribed across dozens of cancer types on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, rather than requiring separate approvals for each. The government's independent drug pricing committee rejected the proposal in July 2025, finding the prices too high and the plan too narrow to help patients with rare cancers. A revised proposal was approved in December 2025. Internal emails show MSD lobbied the health minister's office over delays in listing the drug. Redactions: pricing, commercial and deliberative material withheld under s22, s38, s47E(c), s47E(d) and s47F.
See the disclosure →
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PM&C
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3 found · 1 recommended-read · 2 look
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PM&C
· % REDACTED 15%
Prime Minister struck AI safety, skills and cyber deal with Microsoft
Prime Minister Albanese approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Microsoft on artificial intelligence, the government's second such AI deal after one with Anthropic. It covers AI safety, cyber security and skills, with commitments on energy, water and jobs from data centre developers. The brief flags ACCC proceedings against Microsoft over subscription changes. Redactions: deliberative and Cabinet material under s.47C, s.42, s.34 and s.22.
See the disclosure →
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PM&C
· % REDACTED 70%
Beetaloo Basin gas briefs flagged east coast shortfalls from 2029
PM&C briefed the Prime Minister ahead of meetings with NT Chief Minister Finocchiaro and NT official Luccio Cercarelli on Beetaloo Basin gas development and the Gas Market Review. The briefs note the east coast faces structural gas supply shortfalls from 2029, but new pipeline infrastructure is needed. The NT Government has been pushing for Commonwealth support to develop Beetaloo's onshore gas. Redactions: personal information and operational material under s.22(1)(a)(ii) and s.47E(d).
See the disclosure →
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PM&C
· % REDACTED 25%
Research firms flagged risk of overpromising in cross-border licensing mutual recognition campaign
PM&C contracted Ipsos Public Affairs and Hall & Partners to evaluate and test advertising for the Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme, which lets licensed workers operate across state borders without a second licence. The $1.2 million media campaign ran from March to June 2022 targeting border communities. Contracts totalled over $200,000 across creative concept testing, campaign evaluation and benchmarking research. Redactions: commercial pricing under s.47G(1)(a).
See the disclosure →
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SOCIAL SERVICES
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1 found · 1 look
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LOOK
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SOCIAL SERVICES
· % REDACTED 5%
$3.4M closed grant to Teach Us Consent revealed
Chanel Contos' Teach Us Consent Global Limited received a $3.397 million closed non-competitive grant under the Family Safety program for the Promoting Consent Initiative, a social media campaign targeting 16 to 25 year olds on consent and healthy relationships. The Activity Work Plans show seven staff were hired and creative agencies engaged to produce 80 to 100 resources for platforms including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Released across two FOI requests (LEX 56189 and LEX 56230). Redactions: contact details and bank account numbers under s.47F and s.47G(1)(a).
See the disclosure →
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SKIP
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FINANCE
· % REDACTED 0%
Updated model for calculating public service long service leave costs
Finance released its updated shorthand method for small Commonwealth entities (under 1,000 staff) to calculate long service leave liabilities, incorporating the first actuarial review since 2020. The guide is a technical accounting resource with limited news value. Released in full.
See the disclosure →
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DEFENCE
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3 found · 1 recommended-read · 1 look
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READ
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DEFENCE
· % REDACTED 40%
RAAF weighed Boeing pod upgrade for P-8A Poseidon fleet
Emails from 2018 to 2024 show Defence and Boeing engaging over the Multi-Mission Pod, a capability upgrade for Australia's P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Boeing pitched the pod as complementary to the US Navy platform with scope for Australian industry involvement. A separate 2018 thread covers senior-level US Navy decisions on the Advanced Airborne Sensor. Redactions: names under s.47E(c), deliberative content under s.47E(d), business information under s.47G.
See the disclosure →
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DEFENCE
· % REDACTED 25%
Low-fuel Qantas diversion to military base sparked billing and safety reviews
Qantas flight QF691 diverted to RAAF Base Edinburgh on 29 January 2026 with under 20 minutes of fuel after winds prevented landing at Adelaide, carrying 119 passengers. Defence supplied 6,200 litres of jet fuel but only invoiced Qantas after The Advertiser queried whether the airline was being billed. Staff also reviewed whether passengers should have disembarked before refuelling on a military base. Redactions: deliberative content (s.22), commercial pricing (s.47G).
See the disclosure →
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SKIP
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DEFENCE
· % REDACTED 15%
Defence declined ABC's Australian Story request for 1960s UFO records
An internal message exchange shows a Defence official flagging that ABC's Australian Story was preparing a program on UFOs and had requested documents from the 1960s, noting previous FOI requests on the topic had produced nothing. The official indicated they would decline the request, and a colleague agreed. The document was released following internal review.
See the disclosure →
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INDUSTRY, SCIENCE & RESOURCES
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7 found · 1 recommended-read · 5 look
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INDUSTRY, SCIENCE & RESOURCES
· % REDACTED 20%
Radioactive waste plans revealed for Northern Endeavour oil vessel disposal
The government is managing disposal of 20 to 50 cubic metres of low-level naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) from the Northern Endeavour, a decommissioned floating oil production vessel. The 193-page release covers hazardous materials mapping, Basel Convention waste classification for international transit via Singapore, and a Danish contractor's NORM handling approvals. Redactions: commercial information (s.47G) and deliberative material (s.47C, s.47D).
See the disclosure →
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INDUSTRY, SCIENCE & RESOURCES
· % REDACTED 30%
$25.4 million in cyber security training grants, most recipients hidden
Eighteen projects shared $25.4 million from round two of the Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund, part of the 2020 national cyber security strategy. Of 40 applications assessed in early 2022, only one successful recipient is named: Fifth Domain Pty Ltd, which received $3 million. The remaining 17 grantees are redacted. Redactions: commercial information (s.47G).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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INDUSTRY, SCIENCE & RESOURCES
· % REDACTED 40%
COVID ventilator scramble exposed chaotic procurement and dubious suppliers
The government's Ventilator Taskforce fielded hundreds of offers to supply Chinese-made Aeonmed ventilators during March and April 2020, with quoted prices ranging from US$1,245 to US$90,000 per unit. Ernst & Young was engaged to screen suppliers, flagging concerns about unverified intermediaries, units of unknown provenance from Africa, and sellers changing their stories. The taskforce ultimately decided not to procure the VG70 model. Redactions: some deliberative content (s.47C).
See the disclosure →
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SKIP
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INDUSTRY, SCIENCE & RESOURCES
· % REDACTED 90%
NextDC data centre talking points almost entirely withheld
Ministerial talking points and Q&As about data centre operator NextDC were released but almost entirely redacted across four pages. The only visible content addresses whether data centres use 100% renewable energy, noting NextDC operates a facility in Canberra that draws from the ACT's fully renewable grid. Skip as heavily redacted. Redactions: personal details and other material withheld under s.22.
See the disclosure →
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INDUSTRY, SCIENCE & RESOURCES
· % REDACTED 45%
Anthropic agreement reveals government's AI courtship strategy
The Albanese government signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Anthropic on AI collaboration, timed to coincide with a 1 April 2026 meeting between the Prime Minister and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. The agreement covers AI safety, data centre investment, skills and public service use. The brief notes the government is pursuing similar arrangements with other AI companies. Redactions: sensitivities, deliberative content and full terms withheld under s.33(a)(i), s.42, s.45, s.47C, s.47E(d) and s.47G.
See the disclosure →
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INDUSTRY, SCIENCE & RESOURCES
· % REDACTED 40%
Briefs reveal expected $10-20 billion Microsoft AI investment
The government signed a non-binding AI collaboration MoU with Microsoft on 23 April 2026, timed to CEO Satya Nadella's visit. The meeting brief reveals the department expected Nadella to announce investment of AU$10 to $20 billion. The MoU covers AI safety, data centres, skills training and APS use, mirroring the Anthropic deal signed three weeks earlier. Redactions: deliberative content and process details withheld under s.22, s.42, s.45, s.47C and s.47G.
See the disclosure →
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INDUSTRY, SCIENCE & RESOURCES
· % REDACTED 70%
AirTrunk brief flags regulatory delays as data centre bottleneck
Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton was briefed ahead of a March 2026 meeting with AirTrunk CEO Robin Khuda to discuss data centres and the government's new expectations for infrastructure developers. The brief notes AirTrunk's publicly reported concerns that Australian regulatory settings add ~18 months to approvals compared with Asian markets, and that transmission constraints are a binding delivery issue. Two attachments are entirely withheld. Redactions: attachments and personal information withheld under s.22 and s.47C.
See the disclosure →
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CLIMATE & ENERGY
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5 found · 2 recommended-read · 3 look
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READ
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CLIMATE & ENERGY
· % REDACTED 5%
QVM tower approval granted despite department's own "major adverse" heritage finding
The department's recommendation report found Lendlease's proposed towers adjacent to the heritage-listed Queen Victoria Market would cause "major adverse" impacts "inconsistent" with National Heritage values, and recommended a 6m setback that the proponent said would render the project unviable. After consultation, conditions were softened to allow limited cantilever over the Franklin Street Stores. Multiple heritage bodies had called the impacts "unacceptable." Redactions: negligible.
See the disclosure →
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CLIMATE & ENERGY
· % REDACTED 15%
Woodside withdrew Browse CCS referral after year-long decision delay
Woodside Energy withdrew its EPBC referral for the Browse Carbon Capture and Storage project in March 2026 after the department's referral decision stalled for over a year. The project proposed sequestering up to four million tonnes of CO2 annually off Western Australia. Internal emails show the statutory deadline lapsed in early 2025 amid resource constraints. Days after withdrawing, Woodside requested a s.146N determination, signalling plans to resubmit. Redactions: personal details.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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CLIMATE & ENERGY
· % REDACTED 15%
Australia briefed to stay non-committal at fossil fuel transition conference
Australia's delegation to the first international conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels was instructed to remain "non-committal" to specific outcomes while balancing visibility as COP31 President of Negotiations. The briefing pack for the April 2026 Santa Marta conference includes prepared defences of continued fossil fuel exports and gas production, and details Australia's draft positions on Pacific demands under the Tassiriki Call. Redactions: personal details under s.47F(1) and diplomatic strategy under s.33.
See the disclosure →
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CLIMATE & ENERGY
· % REDACTED 45%
Alcoa pushed for fast EPBC exemption as department urged shorter timeframe
Internal emails from late 2025 show DCCEEW officials negotiating the scope of a National Interest Exemption under the EPBC Act for Alcoa's bauxite operations in Western Australia. Alcoa initially sought a four-year exemption, reduced it to two, while the department recommended 12 months limited to 800 hectares per year. Redactions: deliberative content under s.22(1)(a)(ii).
See the disclosure →
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CLIMATE & ENERGY
· % REDACTED 60%
Australia sought allies' views after ICJ climate opinion
DFAT sent a September 2025 diplomatic cable to more than 20 posts seeking partner views on next steps after the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on state climate obligations, delivered July 2025. The Vanuatu-championed opinion was expected to dominate Pacific Islands Forum and UN General Assembly discussions. DCCEEW's International Strategy Section coordinated with DFAT on Australia's response. Redactions: substantive analysis withheld under s.33(a)(iii) and s.47E(d).
See the disclosure →
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INFRASTRUCTURE
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2 found · 2 look
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LOOK
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INFRASTRUCTURE
· % REDACTED 50%
ACMA favours licence renewal over auction for expiring spectrum
The Australian Communications and Media Authority, which manages radio spectrum allocation, preliminarily recommends renewing mobile operators' and NBN Co's spectrum licences expiring between 2028 and 2032 rather than reauctioning them. ACMA warned auctions could reduce telecommunications competition or chill investment in 5G and satellite technologies. Minister Wells also flagged emergency services spectrum needs raised by states and territories. Redactions: ACMA's responses to five ministerial questions withheld under s.47C.
See the disclosure →
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INFRASTRUCTURE
· % REDACTED 10%
Shipping industry pushes back on decarbonisation costs in MERNAP consultation
Industry responses to four Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan consultation papers reveal widespread concern about the cost of transitioning Australia's domestic and international shipping fleets to low-emission fuels. Submitters including Shipping Australia, MIAL, CSL Australia, CLIA, the MUA and Ports Australia addressed regulation, alternative fuels, workforce skills and green shipping corridors. Redactions: limited commercial information withheld under s.47G.
See the disclosure →
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AGRICULTURE
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2 found · 2 look
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AGRICULTURE
· % REDACTED 90%
Drought hub audit flags conflict of interest risks
An internal audit of the Northern WA/NT Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub found its governance structure may impede conflict of interest management. The hub lacked documented processes for awarding grant funding and there was insufficient evidence conflict of interest procedures were properly implemented. Auditors recommended aligning policies with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission guidance. Redactions: the department's responses withheld under s.47E(d).
See the disclosure →
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AGRICULTURE
· % REDACTED 0%
DAFF leave policy covers gender affirmation, purchased leave
The department's 2026 leave policy supplements its enterprise agreement, covering annual, personal/carer's, purchased, long service and miscellaneous leave types. Notable provisions include five days' paid gender affirmation leave, up to ten weeks' purchased leave via salary deductions, and additional cultural and First Nations ceremonial leave on a case-by-case basis. The policy also provides paid leave for disaster situations, organ donation and significant international sporting events.
See the disclosure →
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SKIP
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APRA
· % REDACTED 100%
APRA confirms internal discussion of Anthropic's AI tools
Five documents were partially released in response to a request for APRA emails and documents mentioning "Project Glass Wing", "Mythos", "Anthropic" and "Claude" between 1 and 16 April 2026. A copy of the released documents has been requested from APRA and details will follow.
See the disclosure →
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ATO
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2 found · 1 recommended-read
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READ
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ATO
· % REDACTED 5%
ATO reveals rules for sharing tax data with fraud taskforce
The ATO's governance plan for disclosing protected taxpayer data to the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, led by the NDIA and Services Australia, sets out how tax intelligence is shared with partner agencies to detect fraud against government programs. All disclosures require senior executive approval and are explicitly labelled as intelligence, not evidence, though agencies can seek ATO written consent to use disclosures in administrative action. Tax file numbers are excluded from all sharing. Redactions: contact details withheld under s.47E(d)
See the disclosure →
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SKIP
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ATO
· % REDACTED 0%
ATO says it holds no software inventory for myID app
The ATO refused a request for the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for its myID Android application, saying the document does not exist.
See the disclosure →
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REQUESTED LAST WEEK
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1 found · 1 look
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LOOK
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REQUESTED LAST WEEK
· % REDACTED 50%
eSafety content classifications + Fort Queenscliff Heritage Management
As mentioned last week, two log entries (Infrastructure, and Defence) didn't include documents. We're waiting to hear back from Defence, and given the age restriction on the Infrastructure release, those interested should be engage directly with the FOI team on foi@infrastructure.gov.au
See the disclosure →
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Quiet this rotation · no releases from HOME AFFAIRS, DEWR, VETERANS' AFFAIRS, ACCC, AUSTRAC, AFP, SERVICES AUSTRALIA, NDIS + NDIS COMMISSION, IP AUSTRALIA, AEC, RBA.
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Same rotation Monday · 09:00 AEST
— ANI
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