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Developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have prompted traders to reassess supply risks. This has pushed benchmark crude prices up by more than 10 per cent. The latest surge follows escalating military action between the US and Iran. The Hormuz carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports,…

National home values declined by 0.4 per cent during June, with revised figures indicating the market reached its recent peak in March. Sydney and Melbourne remain at the centre of the correction. Both cities experienced declines during the month, reflecting increased housing supply, reduced demand and sensitivity to higher interest…

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026   Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and government revenue authority review activity continues to be shaped by increased funding, expanding data matching capabilities and a growing focus on risk based reviews. Recent Federal Budget measures have provided significant additional funding for ATO review programs,…

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.…

Recent economic data suggests that households and employers are becoming more cautious as higher interest rates and productivity challenges weigh on the nation’s economic performance. National accounts released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that real gross domestic product fell by 0.1 per cent during the March quarter. This…

Cover designed for AI use, AML changes and evolving exposures. Karen McDonald, Accountancy Insurance   Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance has always been a core requirement for accounting professionals. However, the nature of professional risk is changing rapidly. From the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to the introduction of…

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…

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…

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…

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.…