The Mandarin

National defence strategy long on verbosity, short on solutions

Ian McPhedran — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:12:32 +0000

ANALYSIS | Australia’s 2026 defence strategy outlines a costly expansion centred on AUKUS, drones and missiles, but offers limited practical detail on delivery, self-reliance and risk amid heavy reliance on the US.

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Super-short comment period on supersizing TPB-ordered sanctions

Tom Ravlic — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:51:54 +0000

New Tax Practitioners Board penalties are being made to enable it to discipline individuals who come to its attention.

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Movers & Shakers: States name commissioners

The Mandarin — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:33:51 +0000

Top brass shaken up at the ADF, Tasmania names anti-discrimination commissioner, WA Aboriginal justice panel revealed, Victoria appoints commissioner to counter violent extremism.

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Australian public sector CEOs now world’s highest-paid

Dan Holmes — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:01:01 +0000

Australian public sector bosses are now the highest paid in the world, following a US executive order cutting utility boss's pay.

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‘Complex’ threats force record spending on defence

Andrew Brown — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:59:39 +0000

Defence Minister Richard Marles revealed an extra $14 billion will be spent on defence over the next four years and an additional $53 billion over the next decade.

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Why AI output is always a map, never a territory

David Schmidtchen — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:36:27 +0000

AI-generated content frames decisions by defining what is visible, relevant, and discussable, often excluding perspectives that fall outside its underlying data and assumptions.

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AASB consultation on its work plan inadequate, IPA says

Tom Ravlic — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:06:57 +0000

The federal parliament is debating legislation to merge three boards that oversee audit and accounting standards into a single authority, External Reporting Australia.

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APS chiefs’ pay packets and perks placed under official review

Julian Bajkowski — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:58:16 +0000

Remuneration Tribunal feels a twinge: SES lounge, club, and professional memberships set for re-examination under new major review.

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Productivity Commission calls for accelerated heavy EV agreements

Dan Holmes — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:29:07 +0000

An interim Productivity Commission report has found regulation needs to be modernised to increase freight productivity.

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Senate books three more public service inquiries

Dan Holmes — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:14:13 +0000

JCPAA will examine public sector entities management of privacy, the age pension, and defence procurement this year.

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