Government boosts response to drone threats

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy and Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil have announced measures to strengthen Australia’s response to emerging drone threats. The Federal Government has established a new industry panel to advise on counter small uncrewed aerial systems capabilities, supporting the detection and mitigation of risks to defence assets and critical infrastructure. Updated Defence regulations will also enable the Australian Defence Force, in support of law enforcement agencies, to detect and neutralise drones assessed as threats where it is safe and appropriate. The ministers said the reforms enhance national security readiness while fostering innovation and industry participation in counter-drone technologies.
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Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher and Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain have announced an extension of Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments to additional communities affected by bushfires. From 29 January, eligible residents in Gellibrand and Separation Creek can access one-off payments following assessments confirming significant impacts. The ministers said the payments are available to people who experienced major damage to their home, serious injury or loss of a loved one, and complement other recovery assistance already in place. They noted the extension increases the number of activated locations in Victoria and forms part of ongoing efforts to provide timely financial support and assist communities during early recovery.
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NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, and NSW Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos have highlighted updated figures showing more than 82,000 first home buyers have received stamp duty assistance since July 2023, saving a combined $1.7 billion. The program provides a full exemption for eligible purchases up to $800,000 and a concession for homes priced between $800,000 and $1 million, with average savings of $20,475. Premier Minns said the measure reduces upfront costs to help buyers enter the market sooner, while Treasurer Mookhey and Minister Houssos said it complements wider housing supply and cost-of-living initiatives.
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Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Victorian Minister for Education Ben Carroll have announced the rollout of free Prep bags to support families and early literacy as the school year begins. The initiative provides new Prep students with a selection of books and learning materials designed to encourage reading and support early learning. The Premier and Minister visited a newly opened primary school to mark the start of term and highlight expanded school capacity in growing communities. The announcement also outlined additional literacy measures, including early assessment tools and phonics checks to identify students needing support. Victorian Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins welcomed the opening of new local school facilities.
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Act Name	Date of Assent	Act No.
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026	21/01/2025	1
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026	21/01/2025	2

See Capital Monitor's Federal Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Act Name	Date of Assent	Act No.

See Capital Monitor's Australian Capital Territory Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Act Name	Date of Assent	Act No.

See Capital Monitor's New South Wales Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Act Name	Date of Assent	Act No.

See Capital Monitor's Northern Territory Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Act Name	Date of Assent	Act No.

See Capital Monitor's Queensland Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Act Name	Date of Assent	Act No.

See Capital Monitor's South Australian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Act Name	Date of Assent	Act No.

See Capital Monitor's Tasmanian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Act Name	Date of Assent	Act No.

See Capital Monitor's Victorian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

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See Capital Monitor's Western Australian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

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The Federal Parliament will next sit from 3 - 5 February 2026.
The 2026-27 Federal Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
Additional Budget Estimates are scheduled for 9 - 12 February 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 25 - 28 May & 2 - 5 June 2026.
Supplementary Budget Estimates are scheduled for 26 - 29 October 2026.
The last Federal Election was on 3 May 2025.
Federal Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 13 May 2025.

ACT Parliament will next sit from 3 - 5 February 2026.
The 2026-27 Territory Budget will be handed down in June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for TBA.
The last ACT Election was on 19 October 2024.
ACT Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 07 November 2024.

NSW Parliament will next sit from 3 - 5 February 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down in June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 24 - 27 February, 2 - 11 March, 18 - 31 August & 1 - 2 September 2026.
Supplementary Budget Estimates are scheduled for 26 - 30 October 2026.
The last NSW Election was on 25 March 2023.
NSW Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 05 April 2023 and most recently amended on 17 March 2025.

NT Parliament will next sit from 3 - 5 February 2025.
The 2026-27 Territory Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 9 - 18 June 2026.
The last NT Election was on 24 August 2024.
NT Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 10 September 2024.

Queensland Parliament will next sit from 10 - 12 February 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 20 - 24 & 28 - 31 July 2026.
The last Queensland Election was on 26 October 2024.
Queensland Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 21 November 2024 and most recently amended on 22 February 2024, 10 May 2024 and 04 April 2025.

The SA State election will be held on Saturday, 21 March 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on TBA.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for TBA.
The last SA Election was on 19 March 2022.
SAAdministrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 29 January 2025.

The Tasmanian Parliament (Assembly) will next sit from 3 - 5 February 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 1 - 4 June 2026.
The last Tasmanian Election was held on Saturday 19 July 2025.
Tasmanian Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 11 August 2025.

The Victorian Parliament will next sit from from 3 - 5 February 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down in May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for TBA.
The last Victorian election was held on 26 November 2022.
Victorian Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 02 October 2023 and most recently amended on 12 December 2023.

The WA Parliament (Assembly) will next sit on 17 - 19 February 2026.
The 2025-26 State Budget will be handed down in June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 19 - 21 May 2026.
The last WA election was held on 08 March 2025.
WA Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 02 April 2025.

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