Australia to Face Forced Labour-Related Tariffs

Under the proposal, Australian exports to the US could be subject to a 12.5 per cent tariff. The measure forms part of a broader investigation by US trade authorities into the practices of 60 nations. According to American officials, countries that fail to stop importing goods connected to forced labour…

Australian Government Reneges on Election Promises

For many everyday Australians, this issue is not just about politics. It is also about trust, housing affordability, and the rising pressure on household budgets. Before the last election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers had signalled that changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions were…

A real cyber claim involving an accounting firm

Karen McDonald, Accountancy Insurance   Cyber incidents are not hypothetical. This case study outlines a real cyber claim that Accountancy Insurance was involved in and demonstrates how quickly a phishing email can escalate. Cyber incident case study: Phishing and invoice fraud The insured received multiple phishing emails sent to employees…

Grocery Price Rises Set to Cause Further Pressure

Woolworths reported a 4.5 per cent increase in sales for the March quarter, reaching $18.1 billion across its network. The bigger story for many Australians is what may happen next to the cost of essentials. Woolworths says global instability and higher oil prices are beginning to flow through supply chains.…

Unemployment Rate Holds Before War Impact

The latest labour force data showed modest gains in employment, while the number of unemployed people fell by 3,700. On the surface, the figures suggest a resilient labour market, but analysts caution that the survey’s timing may not yet reflect emerging economic risks. The data was collected in the early…

When AI tools go wrong: Who wears the risk?

Karen McDonald, Accountancy Insurance   Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly finding its way into accounting practices. From drafting emails to automating repetitive tasks, many firms are experimenting with AI tools to improve efficiency. A newer development is the rise of “” where users build small applications or agents using AI…

Professional Indemnity cover and AML/CTF compliance under Tranche 2

Karen McDonald, Accountancy Insurance   There have been a few questions raised about whether our Professional Indemnity PI Shield provides cover in relation to the new Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) laws.The answer is yes. Cover is available under the Statutory Liability section of the policy, subject to a sub‑limit of $250,000.…

More Job Opportunities, but Finances Remain Tight

Recent data shows a sharp increase in job vacancies, reaching their highest level in over a year. This means employers are actively searching for workers across many industries. This could work in your favour if you are currently job hunting or considering a career change. However, the situation is not…

Market Turmoil to Impact Average Citizens

When the Australian share market recently lost more than $50 billion in a day, it wasn’t just investors who felt the impact. It also flowed to superannuation balances, job security, and the rising cost of living. While markets naturally fluctuate, sudden losses can be unsettling, particularly for those nearing retirement.…

Australians Spend More But Not on New Purchases

Over the past year, spending on services has climbed sharply, up 5.9 per cent, while goods rose 3.5 per cent. On paper, that might suggest confidence. In reality, much of that increase reflects higher prices rather than fuller shopping trolleys. Annual inflation sat at 3.8 per cent in January, meaning…