State Regulation: NSW’s new nitrous oxide rules restrict sales to minors, overnight trading and large canisters, with health authorities empowered to enforce the crackdown. Children’s Safety: Education Minister Jason Clare says governments have failed to protect children in childcare, after the federal government accepted just one of 23 safety inquiry recommendations. Digital Rights: The government is defending its under-16 social media ban in the High Court, arguing it is needed to protect children; Reddit and other challengers say the law should be overturned. Public Accountability: An advocate says an NDIS report exposes governance and safeguarding failures, as Graeme Innes is appointed chair of the agency’s board. Separately, the NT government faces accusations of blocking UN access to youth detention. Defence Oversight: An independent public inquiry has called Australia’s AUKUS submarine ambitions unachievable, intensifying scrutiny of the cost and purpose of the pact. Environmental Compliance: WA’s government department and a project operator were found to have breached protections for Gouldian finch habitat; federal investigators have ordered tighter safeguards.