Australia

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

Australian Court Orders Firstmac to Pay A$8m for DDO Breaches

By Thisanka Siripala | 28/01/2025

The court said Firstmac was “objectively reckless”. This is the first civil penalty action against a distributor involving DDO breaches.

Clearing & Post-Trade

ASX Offers Explanation for December 2024 Market Disruption

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 27/01/2025

ASX implemented a software fix, waived fail fees from 20-31 December 2024, and will distribute A$1mn in rebates to settlement participants.

Structural Regulation

Australia, Malaysia Auditors Asked for Input on IFRS Agenda

By Thisanka Siripala | 27/01/2025

Financial reporting professionals in Australia and Malaysia are asked to help inform the IASB’s future work to improve the IFRS.

Reporting & Disclosures

Australia to Form New Standard-setting Body for Financial Reporting

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 25/01/2025

The new body will provide a “one stop shop” for the development and issuance of accounting, sustainability, auditing and assurance standards.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

ASIC Probing ANZ for Underpaid Interest, Hardship Provisions

By Editors | 23/01/2025

ASIC reportedly investigating allegations that ANZ miscalculated interest on thousands of customer savings accounts.

Reporting & Disclosures

Australia Proposes Immunity Provisions for Sustainability Reports

By Thisanka Siripala | 23/01/2025

The limited immunity provisions are aimed at protecting businesses from certain liabilities and encouraging early adoption of sustainability reporting.

Climate Risk

Super Fund CEOs Highlight Climate Risk Reporting Challenges

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 22/01/2025

APRA and ASIC called on industry bodies to play a bigger role in supporting super funds including developing a code to facilitate collaboration

Structural Regulation

Australia to Bolster Enforcement Powers of ACMA

By Thisanka Siripala | 21/01/2025

Maximum penalties for breaches of industry codes and standards will be raised from A$250,000 to A$10mn.

Structural Regulation

ASIC Calls on BNPL Providers to Act Early to Secure Licence

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 21/01/2025

A law passed in December requires BNPL providers to have a licence by 10 June 2025, subject to transitional arrangements