Global Scans · Australia · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Australia will no longer be known for being as dependant on the export of natural resources over the next half century as in 2012. The need for new infrastructure to meet the strong population and economic growth of Australia will continue to be a priority for the medium term. There's no doubt the aftermath of China's credit boom poses a much bigger economic threat to Australia than Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. The Growth rate for Australia is expected to be stronger, although still below the long-term trend.

• [New] Global production is forecast at 180-190 mt in 2025-26, with Australian output upgraded to around 4.0 million tonnes. Westpac IQ
• [New] Australian production rose to around 36 mt, but ABARES expects output to fall to around 33 mt in 2026-27. Westpac IQ
• [New] Commonwealth funding for public hospitals will reach a record $219.6 billion from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with $25 billion in additional funding committed and a further $1.8 billion allocated in the 2025-26 Federal Budget. / Australia openpr
• [New] Australia's 2026 National Defence Strategy has confirmed plans to invest $7.8 to $11 billion over the decade to sustain and update the Royal Australian Navy's Collins Class submarine fleet into the 2040s. Diplomatist
• [New] Policy-wise, countries are moving to ban social media for children, with Australia leading the charge to mitigate risks like cyberbullying and addiction. Coaio Limited
• [New] May to July looks like rainfall will likely be below average for much of eastern Australia. The Guardian
• [New] Australia will continue working with international partners to help secure the supplies we need - including diesel, petrol and fertiliser - and ensure Australia is prioritised as a reliable energy partner. CP24
• [New] Australia will invest $425 billion in defence for the next 10 years. Global Defense Corp
• [New] Australia has an enormous opportunity to translate AI into real economic growth and societal benefit. The Sydney Morning Herald
• [New] Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, supported by aggressive government initiatives for maritime domain awareness and rapid adoption of autonomous survey tools in China, Japan, and Australia. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] Housing prices in Australia will remain elevated in 2026, underpinned by both demand and supply factors. Yahoo News Singapore
• [New] Australia's population is rapidly ageing, and estimates show Australia will need an additional 10,000 aged care beds per year to meet demand. Australian Ageing Agenda
• [New] Annual defence funding, including the Australian Signals Directorate, the Australian Submarine Agency, and the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator, is projected to grow from $63.4 billion in 2026-27 to $112.1 billion in 2035-36. Second Line of Defense
• [New] Australia is explicitly moving toward a force capable of holding potential adversary forces at risk at distances that matter strategically denying freedom of maneuver to any adversary contemplating force projection into Australia's northern approaches and maritime economic lifelines. Second Line of Defense
• [New] The Australian government will increase military spending by 53 billion Australian dollars ($38.1 billion) over the next 10 years under the 2026 national defence strategy announced on Thursday. CGTN
• [New] Only four countries are expected to add more people than Australia over the next 25 years. FinSec Partners
• [New] Planted area for canola is expected to rise in 2026/27 across most major producers including Russia, Australia and the US, partly as growers rotate away from wheat given soft prices, though the market view is that strong crush demand will absorb the additional supply. Grain Central
• [New] In Australia, El Nino is expected to bring higher temperatures and fire risk, and lower rainfall. Zero Carbon Analytics
• [New] Australian patients are increasingly tech-savvy, expect more convenience from healthcare interactions and demonstrate greater familiarity with digital platforms. Trader
• [New] The Strategy of Denial is oriented primarily around denying any adversary the ability to project force against Australia through its northern approaches, a defence of Australia's own approaches and maritime economic connections, not merely a contribution to collective allied deterrence. Second Line of Defense
• [New] The AUKUS nuclear submarine pathway remains the centrepiece of Australian long-term deterrence planning, reflecting a fundamental judgement that undersea warfare will define the strategic contest in the Indo-Pacific. Second Line of Defense
• [New] Acquisition of new capability alone is projected to nearly double, from $22.4 billion in 2026-27 to $47.5 billion in 2035-36. / Australia Second Line of Defense

Last updated: 01 May 2026