Last updated Friday 23 January, 2026 8:18 AM
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Federal Government's economic management and reform agenda praised by OECD
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says a new OECD survey has praised the Federal Government's economic management, highlighting Australia's recovery in a period of global uncertainty. The report confirms Australia achieved a soft landing by reducing inflation, avoiding recession and keeping unemployment low, crediting responsible fiscal settings and cost-of-living support. It commends reforms to competition policy, merger laws, energy transformation and productivity, describing them as consistent with OECD best practice. The OECD also highlights progress on housing supply, cleaner and cheaper energy, rising real wages and stronger investment, supporting the Federal Government's focus on inflation, productivity and managing global risks.
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Latest data shows record number of Australians in work
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth have welcomed new labour force data showing Australia’s job market continuing to deliver strong outcomes under the Federal Government. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1 per cent in December, while participation rose to 66.7 per cent, reflecting strong engagement in work. Employment increased by 65,200 people over the month, taking total employment to a record 14.68 million Australians. Full-time jobs accounted for the majority of growth, alongside record levels of women’s workforce participation, highlighting resilience in the labour market amid global uncertainty.
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More Victorian communities now eligible for federal bushfire recovery payments
Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher and Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain have announced expanded disaster payments for Victorians impacted by recent bushfires. From 23 January 2026, the Federal Government will extend the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment to additional localities, bringing the total to 52 locations. Disaster Recovery Allowance will also expand to five more local government areas, providing up to 13 weeks of income support for those who have lost work. The payments complement existing Commonwealth-State recovery assistance as impact assessments continue.
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VIC: Apply now for a tobacco licence before enforcement starts
Victorian Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Enver Erdogan is urging Victorian tobacco retailers and wholesalers to apply for a licence before mandatory enforcement begins on 1 February 2026, as part of the State Government's crackdown on illicit tobacco and organised crime. With the application deadline set for 31 January, businesses that fail to comply risk significant fines and jail terms. More than 3,300 applications have already been lodged since the scheme commenced in July. The new licensing system, backed by Victoria Police, gives regulators strong powers to seize illegal products and target criminal networks behind the illicit tobacco trade.
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WA: Esperance construction capacity expanded through RED Grants
WA Minister for Regional Development Stephen Dawson and WA Acting Minister for Goldfields-Esperance Don Punch have announced a $250,000 Regional Economic Development (RED) Grant to boost local construction capacity in Esperance. The State Government investment supports the expansion of Drake-Brockman Building & Construction's workshop, enabling a new prefabrication facility for house wall frames. The upgrade will improve productivity, streamline construction processes and help meet strong residential and commercial demand in the region. The project supports local jobs, skills development and a more efficient construction pipeline, highlighting how RED Grants are strengthening regional businesses and building resilient communities across Western Australia.
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| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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| Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026 |
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| Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026 |
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See Capital Monitor's Federal Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Australian Capital Territory
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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See Capital Monitor's Australian Capital Territory Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
New South Wales
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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See Capital Monitor's New South Wales Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Northern Territory
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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See Capital Monitor's Northern Territory Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Queensland
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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See Capital Monitor's Queensland Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
South Australia
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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See Capital Monitor's South Australian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Tasmania
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
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See Capital Monitor's Tasmanian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Victoria
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
|---|---|---|
See Capital Monitor's Victorian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Western Australia
| Act Name | Date of Assent | Act No. |
|---|---|---|
See Capital Monitor's Western Australian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.
Federal
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.
Australian Capital Territory
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.
New South Wales
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.
Northern Territory
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
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.
South Australia
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.
Tasmania
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.
Victoria
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.
Western Australia
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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