AI Governance & Safety: Australia’s ministers have outlined fresh “AI safety” priorities, including a digital duty of care, privacy reforms, workplace and consumer risks, and a framework for government automated decision-making—critics say the messaging leans on older initiatives and risks fragmentation. Parliament & Workplace Rights: Federal Labor’s national conference backed a new Fair Work Court to speed workplace dispute resolution, drawing sharp pushback from former PM John Howard, who argues Australia already abolished a similar industrial court and is adding bureaucracy. Security & Justice: The anti-Semitism royal commission hears calls for governments to fully fund Jewish community security, with families and schools still carrying major costs; separate testimony describes children feeling unsafe during the Bondi attack. Child Protection (NT): NT laws weakening the Child Placement Principle have prompted warnings from human rights commissioners that children’s rights and safety are at greater risk. Climate & Legal Accountability: Greenpeace welcomed a WA Supreme Court dismissal of Woodside’s climate protest “SLAPP” case tied to Scott Reef drilling plans. Regional Diplomacy: ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila puts renewed Middle East hostilities and the Strait of Hormuz blockade front and centre, with Australia among key attendees. Economy & Cost Pressures: Domain reports Australian property prices fell in the June quarter for the first time in three years, citing higher rates and weaker sentiment. Jobs Data: ABS shows unemployment steady at 4.4% in June, but employment jumped by 76,300, lifting participation to 67%.