| Navigating the Surge in Insurance Risks for Australian Businesses Wed, 18 Feb: Australian businesses are currently grappling with a complex landscape of escalating insurance risks, driven by factors such as increased litigation, rapid technological advancements, supply chain disruptions, catastrophic events, and geopolitical tensions. These challenges necessitate a proactive approach to risk management and insurance coverage. - read more
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| AFIA Endorses National AI Plan to Propel Finance Industry Innovation Wed, 18 Feb: The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has expressed strong support for the Albanese Government's National AI Plan, viewing it as a significant step toward harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to drive economic growth and innovation within the finance sector. - read more
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| AFIA Unveils Financial Safety Alliance to Tackle Financial Abuse Wed, 18 Feb: The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has announced the formation of the Financial Safety Alliance, a collaborative initiative aimed at preventing financial abuse across the nation. This alliance brings together banks, lenders, and financial safety experts to develop and implement strategies that protect consumers from financial exploitation. - read more
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| AFIA Report Highlights Non-Bank Lenders' Impact on Housing Finance Wed, 18 Feb: The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has published a comprehensive report detailing the significant role that non-bank lenders play in Australia's housing finance ecosystem. This inaugural report sheds light on how these institutions contribute to home ownership accessibility and market competition. - read more
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| New South Wales Implements Strict Measures Against Illegal E-Bikes Wed, 18 Feb: In February 2026, the New South Wales Government introduced stringent new laws granting police the authority to seize and crush illegal e-bikes that exceed specified power and speed limits. This initiative aims to address community concerns regarding overpowered e-bikes and associated anti-social behavior. - read more
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| AFCA Issues Caution to Small Businesses on Unregulated Lending Risks Wed, 18 Feb: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently highlighted a significant concern for small businesses: the risks associated with engaging unregulated lenders. This warning comes in response to a record number of complaints from small business owners, many of which involve lenders not affiliated with AFCA. - read more
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| ASIC Flags Compliance Concerns Among Small Credit Lenders Wed, 18 Feb: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently expressed concerns regarding the compliance practices of certain small credit lenders. A comprehensive review conducted by ASIC revealed that some providers of small amount credit contracts (SACCs) may be steering vulnerable consumers towards financial products that offer fewer protections, potentially exposing them to increased financial risk. - read more
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| Commonwealth Bank Adjusts Lending Policies for Companies and Trusts Wed, 18 Feb: The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has recently implemented changes to its lending policies concerning companies and trusts. Effective from November 22, 2025, these adjustments require that borrowers seeking loans under these structures must have an existing relationship with the bank. - read more
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| Learning from Near Misses: Enhancing Farm Safety in Australia Wed, 18 Feb: In July 2025, Farmsafe Australia launched the 'Second Chances – Who Knows How Many You'll Get' campaign, aiming to transform near misses on farms into learning opportunities to prevent future accidents. This initiative underscores the critical importance of recognising and addressing close calls in agricultural settings. - read more
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| WFI's 2025 Farm Accident Insights: A Call for Enhanced Safety Measures Wed, 18 Feb: In October 2025, WFI Insurance unveiled its annual farm accident insights as part of Farmsafe Australia's 2025 Safer Farms Report. The findings paint a stark picture of the challenges facing Australian agriculture, with 2024 recording 72 farm-related deaths—the highest in over two decades. - read more
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| Reserve Bank of Australia Lifts Cash Rate to 3.85% to Combat Inflation Wed, 18 Feb: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced an increase in the cash rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to 3.85%. This decision, made during the February 2026 meeting, aims to address the persistent inflationary pressures affecting the Australian economy. - read more
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| NAB Anticipates Dual RBA Rate Increases in 2026 to Address Inflation Wed, 18 Feb: National Australia Bank (NAB) has revised its economic outlook, now forecasting two interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in 2026. This adjustment reflects concerns over persistent inflationary pressures within the Australian economy. - read more
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| Citi Projects Consecutive RBA Rate Increases in Early 2026 Wed, 18 Feb: Global financial services firm Citi has updated its economic forecast, now anticipating two interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in the first half of 2026. This revision is prompted by recent economic indicators showing stronger-than-expected inflation and consumer spending. - read more
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| RBA Affirms Strength of Australia's Financial System in Latest Review Wed, 18 Feb: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has released its October 2025 Financial Stability Review, providing a comprehensive assessment of the nation's financial health. The report underscores the resilience of Australia's financial system, even amidst elevated global uncertainties. - read more
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| Austal Limited Expands Patrol Boat Fleet with New $135 Million Contract Wed, 18 Feb: Austal Limited, a prominent Australian shipbuilder, has secured a contract extension worth over $135 million to construct two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Australian Border Force. This development increases the total number of these vessels to 14, underscoring Austal's pivotal role in bolstering Australia's maritime surveillance capabilities. - read more
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| Commonwealth Bank's Business Lending Reaches New Heights Wed, 18 Feb: The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has reported a significant 12% increase in its business lending portfolio, reaching $168 billion by December 2025. This growth underscores the bank's commitment to supporting Australian businesses and reflects a broader economic confidence among enterprises. - read more
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| Reserve Bank's Rate Hike: Implications for Australian SMEs Wed, 18 Feb: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised the official cash rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.85%, marking the first increase in over two years. This decision, driven by persistent inflationary pressures, has significant implications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country. - read more
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| APRA's New Debt-to-Income Limits: What Borrowers Need to Know Wed, 18 Feb: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced the implementation of a new policy aimed at mitigating financial risks associated with high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans. Effective from 1 February 2026, authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) are required to limit the issuance of new mortgage loans with DTI ratios of six times or more to no more than 20% of their total new lending. - read more
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| ASBK to Transition to Summer Racing Schedule in 2027 Wed, 18 Feb: Motorcycling Australia and the ASBK Management Team have unveiled plans to transition the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) to a summer calendar starting in 2027. This strategic move aims to synchronise ASBK with other major superbike championships worldwide, enhancing the competition's profile and providing a more consistent racing experience for teams and fans. - read more
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| ASIC Identifies Concerns in Motor Vehicle Financing Practices Wed, 18 Feb: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has conducted a comprehensive review of the motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues related to lender oversight and consumer protection. The findings reveal instances of high loan establishment fees and inadequate monitoring of car finance distributors. - read more
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| ASIC Highlights Deficiencies in Insurers' Complaint Handling Practices Wed, 18 Feb: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of insurers' complaint handling processes, uncovering significant deficiencies that fail to meet regulatory obligations. The findings indicate that insurers are not adequately identifying and addressing customer complaints, with one in six complaints going unrecognized. Additionally, systemic issues are often overlooked, communication timeframes are missed, and existing systems fail to record outcomes such as compensation payments. - read more
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| Forecast: Continued Decline in Australian Commercial Insurance Rates Through 2026 Wed, 18 Feb: Following a significant 12% decline in commercial insurance rates during the fourth quarter of 2025, industry experts anticipate that this downward trend will persist throughout 2026. The Australia-Pacific region has been at the forefront of this global decrease, with the recent drop marking the steepest since early 2024. - read more
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| EROAD Strengthens Australian Presence with Major Fleet Deals Wed, 18 Feb: Transportation technology company EROAD Limited has announced significant expansions in its Australian operations through new partnerships with Boral and Woolworths. These five-year agreements will see EROAD providing telematics support for a combined total of 4,345 fleet assets. - read more
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| Surge in First-Home Buyer Activity Following Expansion of 5% Deposit Scheme Wed, 18 Feb: The Australian Government's recent expansion of the 5% deposit scheme has catalyzed a notable surge in first-home buyer activity, particularly within the affordable housing segment. This policy adjustment aims to make homeownership more accessible by allowing eligible buyers to enter the market with a minimal deposit, thereby reducing the financial barriers traditionally associated with purchasing a home. - read more
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| Labor Government's $10 Billion Initiative to Build 100,000 Homes for First-Time Buyers Wed, 18 Feb: The Australian Government has announced a significant initiative to address housing affordability by committing $10 billion to construct 100,000 new homes exclusively for first-time buyers. This ambitious plan aims to alleviate the challenges faced by Australians striving to enter the property market. - read more
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