The Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026 (Cth) introduced by the Hon. Julian Hill
Excerpts from speech -
'This bill is a critical step to strengthen Commonwealth laws and increase penalties to make the consequences much greater for criminals, target unexplained wealth, and activate enhanced law enforcement techniques, like wiretaps and other powerful tools to track and disrupt criminal networks.
This fight really matters. Smoking still kills on average 66 Australians every day and accounts for 20 per cent of the nation's cancer disease burden. Two out of every three long-term smokers will die of a tobacco related illness.
If our society does not turn the tide on this illicit market then we risk a new generation of Australians getting hooked on tobacco—a costly public health disaster for all Australians, as billions of dollars would then get diverted in the health system to deal with the consequences.'
...
'This bill comes at a critical time in Australia's fight to contain and reverse the growth of the illicit tobacco market.
Every seizure, every prosecution, every licence suspension and every dollar seized from a criminal under proceeds of crime powers adds friction and puts the illicit market under further pressure.
Increasing penalties and strengthening Commonwealth laws are critical to ensure Australia can continue to deter, disrupt and prevent the further growth of the illicit tobacco market, which will support the health and wellbeing of the Australian community.' #auslaw #auspol #smoking #tobacco
Federal government passes landmark orphan works scheme
I watched the Minister for the Arts the Hon. Tony Burke introduce the Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026 (Cth) into the House of Representatives today https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7465 Here is an excerpt from his speech:
'The Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026 is an important step forward in recognising and supporting Australian creators and publishers. It brings together the Public Lending Right and Educational Lending Right schemes into a single, contemporary legislative framework, replacing the Public Lending Right Act 1985 and ensuring these vital programs remain fit for purpose....
In 1974, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam approved the Public Lending Right scheme with a clear vision of fairness—one that recognised the value of authors' work and the importance of supporting Australian voices. More than 50 years later, that vision remains just as relevant.
In the 2024-25 financial year alone, more than 17,000 payments were made to eligible Australian creators and publishers through the scheme, totalling $28 million. For many creators—authors, illustrators, translators, and editors—these payments are not supplementary; they are a reliable and meaningful source of income. Lending rights payments help make it possible for Australian stories to continue to be written, published, and shared.
This bill also reflects the way Australians now read and borrow books. Through our national cultural policy, Revive, the government has invested in modernising lending rights to include digital formats. E-books and audiobooks are now a normal part of library collections, and it is only right that creators are recognised and compensated for their use in these formats as well.
The Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026 secures these reforms in legislation and provides a clear, modern framework for the future. It ensures that our lending rights schemes continue to support Australian creators, adapt to changing technologies, and strengthen our cultural life.'
Helpful information Text of bill First reading: Text of the bill as introduced into the Parliament Third reading: Prepared if the bill is amended by the house in which it was introduced. This version of the bill is then considered by the second house. As passed by
As I passed by on other business, I saw that the AI developer Anthropic was holding a huge event at the Australian Federal Parliament today. The company is lobbying hard on copyright law - Anthropic boss makes big call on Australian copyright as artists say pay up
The Australian Senate Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy has published its report on The Integrity Gap: Restoring Trust in the Climate and Energy Debate https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Information_Integrity_on_Climate_Change_and_Energy/ClimateIntegrity/Report I made a submission on the topic of the regulation of astroturfing https://eprints.qut.edu.au/260072/ Its mentioned a few times in the final report.
#auspol #auslaw #climate #misinformation #disinformation #greenwashing #astroturfing #informationintegrity
The Boys Light Up: Australian Crawl Trademark dispute -
'James Reyne and Simon Binks, two of the founding members of veteran pub rock act Australian Crawl, have issued a statement addressing a nascent trademark dispute with former member Bill McDonough.
The statement notes that on Thursday, March 12th, the band's founding members filed an application to the Australian Federal Court challenging McDonough’s acquisition of Australian Crawl trademarks.
McDonough had previously acquired these trademarks back in 1990 for matters relating to “Entertainment services including artists' agencies, sound recording, radio and television programme production, theatre or cinema productions and amusement centres and parks," while he acquired the trademark for matters relating to “Clothing, footwear and all goods” in 1994.
However, the band contends there was never any consultation or agreement with any members of Australian Crawl in relation to registering the trademarks, and "As such, the founding members do not recognise Bill’s ownership of these assets."'
https://themusic.com.au/news/australian-crawl-co-founders-launch-trademark-dispute-against-former-member/V3HlS0pNTE8/19-03-26
#Australiancrawl #auslaw #trademark
Matthew Rimmer
