Philip Morris uses secret Senate hearing to warn that illegal tobacco in Australia could wipe out legal trade by 2030 https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/05/philip-morris-uses-secret-senate-hearing-to-warn-tobacco-in-australia-could-wipe-out-legal-trade-by-2030
Company pushes for lower excise and claims threats warrant secrecy, while critics say it has ‘no interest in public health or safety’ #auspol #auslaw #smoking #tobacco #health #interference
Philip Morris uses secret Senate hearing to warn illegal tobacco in Australia could wipe out legal trade by 2030

Company pushes for lower excise and claims threats warrant secrecy, while critics say it has ‘no interest in public health or safety’

The Guardian

Fan of the @oaf which is enabling me to try to get details out of the ACMA about their decisions about Kyle Sandilands and Jackie "O" Henderson.

I can't help but think that, 60 days later, they're colluding with ARN to deliberately string me along... they seem to have bought themselves another 60 days to drag their feet before replying. Seems to me that they get to give ARN two sets of review periods, and we'll be in July before my March request is acted upon. Any Freedom of Information lawyers in the house?

#auslaw #AusPol #AusGov #foi

https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/request_for_documents_relating_t_3

Small Australian designers giving up on fighting fast-fashion giant Shein over design duplicates https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-06/australian-designs-continually-copied-by-shein/106592282 #fashion #fashionip #passingoff #consumerlaw #auspol #auslaw
Australian designers giving up on getting Shein copies removed

Small Australian fashion designers say it is too time-consuming to continue to ask Shein to take down copies of their designs. 

Resident Trevor Hoare has filed for adverse possession of Frederick McCubbin's former home in regional Victoria.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-06/frederick-mccubbin-home-fontainebleau-mount-macedon/106620762
McCubbin's great-granddaughter says the family's legacy continues in the spirit of the property.
The adverse possession claim is being heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
#auspol #auslaw #property #art
Inside the historic home at the centre of Supreme Court battle

The resident trying to take adverse possession of artist Frederick McCubbin's historic former home says he wants to bring in the "right people" to fix it up.

High Court to consider who owns rights to abattoir secret camera footage

A goat abattoir, a group of animal rights activists and the copyright act will be the focus today in a High Court challenge over who owns the rights to footage captured by secret cameras.

Assistant minister for customs, Julian Hill, called on Coalition senators to explain the secret hearing.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/04/coalition-big-tobacco-lobbyists-closed-session-parliament
“Australians should be shocked and outraged that today the committee chose to get secret evidence from big tobacco,” he said.

“They’re quick to give comment when it suits them, and yet they want to skulk in in secret to a parliamentary inquiry when not.”
#auslaw #auspol #smoking #tobacco

Coalition accused of secretly giving big tobacco lobbyists private platform in parliament

Exclusive: A Senate committee considering the illegal tobacco trade in Australia hears closed-session evidence from cigarette manufacturers

The Guardian
Chinese-owned Landbridge launches international legal action over forced sale of Port of Darwin https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-01/chinese-owned-darwin-port-launches-legal-action/106633362 #ISDS #CHAFTA #auslaw #auspol
Chinese company launches legal action over forced sale of Port of Darwin

Anthony Albanese pledged at the federal election that Labor would return the port to Australian hands, saying it necessary for national security.

Tense exchanges in court as judge turns screws on ACCC's case against Woolworths https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-30/tense-exchanges-federal-court-case-accc-woolworths/106561702 #ACCC #auslaw #auspol
Woolworths discounts not 'inherently misleading', judge says

There have been tense exchanges in the Federal Court, with the judge overseeing the bombshell case between the ACCC and Woolworths questioning the consumer watchdog's case.

Trump administration labels Australia’s media bargaining laws ‘foreign extortion’ https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/29/trump-australia-news-bargaining-laws-extortion
Albanese defends plan forcing Meta, Google and TikTok to make deals with Australian news publishers through a levy #socialmedia #news #trade #auslaw #auspol
Trump administration labels Australia’s media bargaining laws ‘foreign extortion’

Albanese defends plan forcing Meta, Google and TikTok to make deals with Australian news publishers through a levy

The Guardian
Google, Meta and TikTok face new levy to pay for Australian news as Albanese reveals media plan https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/28/albanese-tech-companies-australian-media
Government’s draft news bargaining incentive scheme includes 2.25% levy on local revenues of digital giants. #auslaw #auspol
Google, Meta and TikTok face new levy to pay for Australian news as Albanese reveals media plan

Government’s draft news bargaining incentive scheme includes 2.25% levy on local revenues of digital giants

The Guardian