WiseTech offices searched by AFP and ASIC over share trading allegations – 28 October 2025
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have raided a WiseTech office in Sydney. ASIC and the AFP executed a search warrant requiring the production of documents regarding alleged trading in WiseTech shares by co-founder Richard White and three WiseTech employees. WiseTech says it “intends to fully cooperate with any investigation.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-28/wisetech-office-searched-by-afp-asic/105941382
Son of prominent building industry figure charged over $6m extortion – 27 October 2025
The son of one of the most prominent figures in the building industry is facing extortion charges as part of a taskforce investigation into alleged corruption in the construction sector. Daniel Van Camp, 51, is one of three men due to face court this week following allegations he and two others were part of an extortion campaign that included making demands for $6.6 million in payments to secure union peace.
ASIC stop orders trigger almost $900m in redemptions from La Trobe – 29 October 2025
La Trobe Financial has experienced an almost 50 per cent jump in redemption requests from its high-interest term products over the past two months, after the corporate regulator’s damaging stop order tested confidence in the non-bank lender’s funds and model. The surprise move by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to block new investments in La Trobe’s funds on September 18 sparked concerns that it would be overwhelmed with withdrawal requests.
ATO sidelines official who pursued PwC over tax scandal – 29 October 2025
The man who led a probe into the leaking of confidential government information by PwC partners will be moved to another regulator in a more junior role, a shift that will disrupt multiple inquiries into the firm. Tax Practitioners Board chief executive Michael O’Neill will become a “specialist adviser” to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission from November 24, according to an all-staff email sent by Tax Commissioner Rob Heferen.
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Meet the man leading AI’s charge in the legal industry – 29 October 2025
Automatise, the company behind litigation artificial intelligence program Cicero AI, is competing in the middle of an AI boom in the legal industry, which has been identified as ripe for disruption for its heavy reliance on painstaking, time-intensive and dreary manual processes such as document review. The technology works by lawyers uploading relevant documents to the software, and inputting questions relevant to the litigation. Cicero will pull out key events, facts and testimony which allows lawyers to build a case more quickly and identify key details that may sway the outcome of litigation.
Former Australian Signals Directorate employee accused of selling trade secrets to Russia by US prosecutors – 29 October 2025
An Australian man who was working for a US-based defence and cyber intelligence contractor has been accused of selling information to a Russian buyer. Multiple sources have told the ABC the accused man used to work for the Australian Signals Directorate, the national intelligence agency responsible for cyber security. The man’s case is due to return to a US court overnight.
Super giant admits it broke corporate law as it faces hefty fine – 29 October 2025
Superannuation giant Cbus has admitted it breached corporate law and agreed it should pay a $23.5 million fine in its bid to settle a landmark case over major delays in its handling of insurance claims.3In a case that put the super industry on notice, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission last year took Cbus to court, alleging “systemic” failures in its handling of death benefits and total and permanent disability insurance claims.
Hundreds of childcare abuse allegations laid bare in Victorian watchdog’s report – 29 October 2025
Almost 1,000 abuse and misconduct allegations were made against early childhood educators in the past year, according to a new report from the Commission for Children and Young People. The number of allegations has risen over the past three years. Hours after the report’s release, it was announced acting principal commissioner Meena Singh would step down from the commission’s top job.
Australian Defence Force changes definition of sexual-related offences in wake of landmark class action – 29 October 2025
The Australian Defence Force quietly changed its definition of sexual-related offences weeks before a landmark class action was launched. The action will allege servicewomen experienced widespread and systemic sexual violence, harassment and discrimination within the institution. Under the new definition, all sexual or sexual-related offences are classified as “violence” rather than “misconduct”.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-29/adf-changes-sexual-violence-definition-class-action/105943916
Man charged over alleged multi-million dollar ‘ghost car’ fraud scheme in Sydney – 30 October 2025
In Sydney, a 33-year-old man from Wakeley has been charged in connection with an alleged $7.3 million fraud and money-laundering network operating under Strike Force Myddleton. The syndicate is alleged to have used stolen personal information to apply for loans through automotive finance companies, supposedly to buy luxury “ghost cars” (that didn’t exist).
Regulator fines crypto ATM operator Cryptolink as part of crackdown that is too late for many – 30 October 2025
The financial crimes regulator has taken enforcement action against a second crypto ATM operator. AUSTRAC says crypto ATMs have emerged as a major money-laundering risk, with criminals using them to scam money from a growing number of mostly elderly victims. Banking and consumer advocates have called for a ban on crypto ATMs, which the federal government has so far ruled out, despite similar moves overseas.
