Former Knox Grammar teacher escapes jail for child grooming offenc – 8 May 2026
Former Knox Grammar School teacher William Gulson avoided jail after being convicted of grooming a child for sexual activity online. The court heard Gulson exchanged explicit messages on Grindr with someone he believed was a 15-year-old boy, despite acknowledging the child’s age during the chats. He received a three-year community corrections order, 400 hours of community service and was placed on the NSW Child Protection Register for eight years.
AUSTRAC steps up supervision of virtual assets sector as reforms take effect- 8 May 2026
AUSTRAC announced targeted compliance campaigns against cryptocurrency exchanges and over-the-counter crypto operators operating in Australia. The regulator is increasing scrutiny of virtual asset service providers as tougher anti-money laundering reforms begin. Authorities are particularly concerned about crypto-to-cash transactions being used for scam proceeds and money laundering.
ATO raids alleged kingpin of multimillion-dollar fraud syndicate – 9 May 2026
The ATO, AFP and Services Australia raided an alleged organiser of a large-scale tax and welfare fraud operation. Investigators allege the syndicate used stolen identities and phishing scams to access ATO accounts and lodge fraudulent tax returns. Authorities say stolen money was funnelled through “money mule” accounts before being transferred offshore or converted into cryptocurrency.
Access to digital version required to read article
FIFO worker sentenced over laundering scam funds converted to crypto – 9 May 2026
A Brisbane court sentenced FIFO worker Emmanuel Makwai for reckless money laundering after his bank account was used to process scam proceeds. Victims had been deceived by scammers impersonating banks. One victim lost $50,000 that was later converted into cryptocurrency and could not be recovered. The court stressed the growing seriousness of money mule activity linked to organised scam syndicates.
Access to digital version required to read article
Council staff dubbed the ‘Pink Ops’ allegedly promoted friends, NSW anti-corruption watchdog hears – 11 May 2026
NSW ICAC is investigating allegations that senior staff at Parramatta Council manipulated recruitment processes, promoted friends into roles and conducted surveillance on employees. Former CEO Gail Connolly and other executives allegedly bypassed procedures, shared interview questions and retaliated against staff viewed as threats. The inquiry heard the council spent millions on staff removals and confidentiality settlements.
Former financial services director Ashley Arandez sentenced to more than 5 years imprisonment – 12 May 2026
Ashley Arandez of Hoppers Crossing in Victoria has been sentenced to 5 years and 6 months imprisonment in the County Court of Victoria, after pleading guilty to offences involving dishonest conduct, carrying on an unlicensed financial services business, and recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
AUSTRAC releases updated risk snapshot of Australia’s financial crime landscape – 12 May 2026
AUSTRAC warned that Australia’s financial crime environment is becoming more sophisticated and interconnected, particularly through cryptocurrency, digital payment systems and organised criminal networks. The regulator said money laundering, scam activity and virtual asset abuse are increasing due to technology and globalisation. The release accompanies new national threat assessments and highlights growing concerns around crypto-enabled laundering and cross-border fraud operations.
Canvas developer Instructure says ‘agreement’ reached with hackers – 12 May 2026
Education software company Instructure said it reached an “agreement” with hacking group ShinyHunters after a massive cyberattack on the Canvas learning platform. Hackers claimed to have stolen about 3.65 terabytes of data affecting nearly 9,000 schools and up to 275 million users worldwide, including names, emails, student IDs and private messages. Instructure said the hackers agreed to delete the data and not extort customers further, although cybersecurity experts warned there is no guarantee stolen information was fully destroyed.
Amanda Camm and Tim Mander relationship disclosure row referred to Crime and Corruption Commission – 13 May 2026
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and ministers Amanda Camm and Tim Mander were referred to the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission by the Labor opposition over allegations they failed to properly disclose a past relationship and manage potential conflicts of interest. The controversy centres on whether the relationship should have been declared earlier under ministerial integrity rules, particularly regarding government and Olympic planning decisions. The ministers deny wrongdoing and say appropriate disclosures were made.
Norman O’Bryan: Former Victorian Senior Counsel sentenced over Banksia Securities class action fraud – 14 May 2026
Former Victorian barrister Norman O’Bryan was sentenced to a four-year community corrections order and 600 hours of community service after pleading guilty to attempting to obtain financial advantage by deception. The case involved inflated and fabricated legal fee claims linked to the $64 million Banksia Securities collapse class action settlement. The court found O’Bryan breached the trust of investors and damaged confidence in the legal profession, but avoided jail due to his guilty plea, remorse and loss of career and reputation.
Coles engaged in “misleading” marketing through its Down Down campaign, court finds – 14 May 2026
The Federal Court found Coles Group misled consumers through its “Down Down” pricing campaign by temporarily increasing prices before advertising products as discounted. The court found 13 of 14 sample promotions were misleading because the higher “was” prices had not been in place long enough to represent genuine discounts. The case, brought by the ACCC, involved 245 products sold between 2022 and 2023. Coles now faces potentially large penalties, while a similar case against Woolworths Group is still before the courts.
Makmur Enterprises hit with $180,000 fine over workplace safety breach following mixer injury – 14 May 2026
Victorian food manufacturer Makmur Enterprises was fined $180,000 after a worker suffered serious arm injuries while cleaning an operating industrial mixer at its Melbourne factory. The court found the company failed to provide proper safety controls, including isolation procedures and guarding to prevent workers accessing moving parts. The injured employee’s arm became trapped in the machine, causing permanent damage. WorkSafe said the incident was entirely preventable and highlighted the importance of lock-out procedures around industrial equipment.
Women in Construction faces licence scrutiny after CFMEU corruption fallout – 15 May 2026
Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority warned Melbourne firm Women in Construction that its labour hire licence may not be renewed following references in the CFMEU corruption report “Rotting from the Top.” Authorities are tightening scrutiny of labour hire companies linked to alleged corruption and organised crime influence in the construction sector.
Access to digital version required to read article
Queensland bureaucrat remains suspended amid CFMEU corruption claims – 15 May 2026
Queensland workplace safety official Helen Burgess remains suspended while investigators examine alleged improper links between government officials and the CFMEU. Evidence presented to an inquiry claims union influence affected safety regulation processes and major taxpayer-funded projects. Witnesses described a culture of intimidation and political pressure connected to union activities.
Access to digital version required to read article
