AI Governance: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has set up an Office of AI inside the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to coordinate national AI regulation, investment and security, with Australian standards for large AI data centres and protections for creatives promised as legislation heads to Parliament early next year. Data Centre Rules: The government’s draft approach would require major data centres to minimise water use, return more electricity to the grid than they consume, and avoid competing with housing for land—while critics warn enforceable protections are still not in place. Copyright & Creatives: Albanese says training AI on Australian works without rights-holder control or payment would be “theft,” as debate continues over how copyright settings will be modernised. Aged Care Reform: The aged-care inspector-general says reform “plumbing” is undermining the act’s goal of ageing in place, with long waits and rising costs flagged as core problems. Public Health: Australia’s syphilis outbreak is showing signs of easing after record notifications, with experts pointing to insufficient testing and gaps in prevention. Local Government: A Victorian council is left with only two councillors after a resident used private prosecutions, raising fresh questions about how “last line of defence” tools can disrupt democracy. Energy & Industry: Alcoa has made a final investment decision on a WA gallium plant backed by Australian, Japanese and US support, while RWE’s Theodore wind farm secured EPBC approval. Roads & Transport: WA has announced a defence-industry portfolio reshuffle, and the federal government is funding mobile coverage upgrades on regional roads.