Student Visas: Australia has lifted student and related visa charges from 1 July, with most categories up about 25%—including Subclass 500 rising from Ksh260,000 to Ksh323,000 and Subclass 485 from Ksh594,000 to Ksh743,000—plus a new ELICOS rate, adding pressure to international students. Health Workforce & Access: Parliament has passed landmark PBS prescribing reform allowing authorised registered nurses to prescribe subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, with systems ready from 1 October 2026. NDIS Integrity: The Greens are calling for tougher action on National Disability Insurance Scheme fraud after a final integrity report, arguing the focus should be on providers exploiting the scheme, not participants. Local Government Funding: A national push from all 538 councils asks the federal government to restore Financial Assistance Grants by $3.5bn to stabilise services as cost-shifting and rate-capping bite. Cash Distribution Regulation: New legislation sets a regulatory framework for sustainable cash delivery and collection, including ACCC oversight and service-level standards as cash use declines. Gambling Advertising: Labor’s long-awaited gambling ad bill faces backlash for not going far enough, including limits on ads during live sport and restrictions targeting under-18s and influencers. PNG-Electoral Leadership: Papua New Guinea has appointed Dr Nicole Haley as Electoral Commissioner ahead of the 2027 election, with Australia closely watching electoral integrity and administration.