Australia

AML / KYC

Australian Police Publishes “Scam Script” Used to Lure Victims

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 19/02/2025

The AFP published the scam script to promote an understanding of how romance scams are operated and greater vigilance by the public.

Australia Legislates to Prevent a Repeat of Robodebt Scandal

By Thisanka Siripala | 19/02/2025

Law passed to impose stricter accountability measures on government agencies and require public officials to cooperate in Ombudsman investigations.

Australia: Senate Inquiry Issues Recommendations on Super Industry Governance

By Thisanka Siripala | 19/02/2025

Senate Economics Committee report recommends several measures including empowering APRA to remove trustees with material conflicts of interest.

Australia Cracks Down on Land Banking by Foreign Investors

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 19/02/2025

Australia is banning foreign investors from buying established homes for two years and cracking down on foreign land banking.

AML / KYC

FMA Issues Alert on Fake Online Investing Platforms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 19/02/2025

The FMA has identified a “large network” of fake online investing platforms involving 96 duplicate websites or platforms.

AML / KYC

Risk Assessments a Core Part of Australia’s New AML Regime

By Nathan Lynch | 18/02/2025

The reforms passed in November send a clear message that risk assessments and AML programmes need to respond to changes in the financial crime risk landscape.

AML / KYC

AUSTRAC Warns Crypto, Remittance Firms of Possible Regulatory Action

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 18/02/2025

AUSTRAC has issued alerts, a precursor to potential regulatory action, to over 50 crypto exchanges and remittance service providers.

ESG / Sustainability

New Zealand Issues Guidance on GHG Assurance Reports

By Thisanka Siripala | 17/02/2025

The guidance clarifies that only the GHG emissions disclosures within CREs’ climate statements are mandated for assurance by 31 Dec 2025.

ASIC Updates Guidance on No-Action Letter and Relief Applications

By Thisanka Siripala | 14/02/2025

ASIC said it has improved and simplified its guidance regarding relief and no-action letters by centralising related guidance and amending outdated references