Global Scans · Australia · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Australia will no longer be known for being as dependant on the export of natural resources over the next half century as in 2012. The need for new infrastructure to meet the strong population and economic growth of Australia will continue to be a priority for the medium term. There's no doubt the aftermath of China's credit boom poses a much bigger economic threat to Australia than Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. The Growth rate for Australia is expected to be stronger, although still below the long-term trend.

• [New] Renewable energy is becoming much cheaper in Australia and globally, and is expected to become the majority of electricity generation within Australia as early as 2026. The Conversation
• [New] Just in 2025, Australia published a Net Zero Plan, set its 2035 target and published six sector plans that include electricity and energy, transport and agriculture. The Conversation
• [New] The most significant risks facing Australian businesses in 2025 are cyber threats, regulatory changes and talent shortages. SecurityBrief Australia
• [New] Australia and Indonesia are working together to harness the economic opportunities of an inclusive energy transition. METRO TV
• [New] Australian sulphate of potash developer Agrimin will scrap its SOP project in Lake Mackay, Western Australia, because of a lack of investment. Building a more profitable and sustainable industry for
• [New] 15.4 gigawatts of batteries will come online within the next two years. / Australia Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Australia is about to bring online vast amounts of grid-scale storage, which could soon slash the need to curtail much power. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] AI will undoubtedly test Australia on many levels: as a democracy; as a liberal democracy; as a country which values work, but which does not think work should be everything. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] For democracies like Australia, AI poses a lot of risks. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Many families will face new challenges meeting the elevated bank statement requirements, potentially shifting student mobility towards other destinations such as Canada or Australia. Visa And Immigrations
• [New] By the end of 2025, customers in Australia, the United Kingdom, India, and Japan will have the option of processing their Copilot interactions - such as prompts and responses handled by large language models - within national borders. IT Brief Asia
• [New] The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has announced its enforcement priorities for 2026, identifying issues relevant to the insurance sector, including claims and complaints management, pricing transparency, and financial reporting. Insurance Business
• [New] Pacific representatives at COP 29 openly criticised the Australian government's plans for a massive gas industry expansion in Western Australia, saying it could result in 125 times more greenhouse gas emissions than the island nations release in a year. World Socialist Web Site
• [New] If Australia secures hosting rights, leaders will have a positive story to tell about the renewables shift. The Conversation
• [New] Internationally, grading systems prioritise the eating experience: Australia's Meat Standards Australia evaluates marbling, ossification, pH, fat depth, ageing, cut, and cooking method, while the US USDA system - Select, Choice, Prime - gives consumers a clear indication of expected quality. EU Agenda
• [New] Sea surface temperatures are forecast to remain above average in the Australian region. Mirage News
• [New] Re-establishing a coordinating body like the former Health Workforce Australia, although not a quick solution, could establish a governance mechanism that supports long term, cross-jurisdictional planning. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The Australian Dollar has shown volatility, largely influenced by global risk sentiment, recent statements from the Reserve Bank of Australia, and movements in commodity markets. IC Markets | Official Blog | Blog
• [New] China remains the biggest driver of demand for Australian wool, and the recent price increases saw a reduction in demand, however, as the busy season approaches, Chinese buyers will engage competitively in auctions to ensure they have sufficient supplies. Australian Rural & Regional News
• [New] The Fujian is forcing Western allies (especially the AUKUS alliance, Australia, the UK and the US) to accelerate their own deployments and revise their combat doctrines, dangerously increasing the risk of accidental escalation in the Western Pacific. Atalayar

Last updated: 21 November 2025