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] In the Riverland region of South Australia, local councils have been working collaboratively with researchers for local vector monitoring so an early warning for possible Ross River virus infection could be issued. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Some degree of government-provided drought support in Australia will be required in the long term. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Many local governments in Australia have developed flood adaptation policies and measures to reduce flood impacts which often complement the national and state-level policies and may be tailored to address the specific risks and challenges faced by the local community. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Safe Work Australia recognises bushfire smoke as a potential workplace hazard that requires risk reduction in line with work health and safety laws. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] As the risk of bushfires has been increasing over many years, governments at all levels in Australia have responded with comprehensive disaster and emergency management frameworks. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] All Australian state and territory government health ministries publish public-facing information advising which population groups are most at risk during heatwaves as well as heat protection advice to reduce heat illness risk. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Some jurisdictional governments in Australia have emergency management plans with specific subplans describing control and co-ordination arrangements across multiple agencies for aspects of the preparation for, response to, and immediate recovery from a major heatwave. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] More study is warranted to better define the longer-term health impacts of floods and to determine the optimal preventive measures, interventions and disaster response strategies that will strengthen resilience to Australian flood disasters. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Floods are another climate extreme that poses a significant threat to health in Australia. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] In eastern Australia, population exposure to bushfire PM2.5 during the Black Summer was estimated to be responsible for 417 excess deaths, 1124 cardiovascular and 2027 respiratory hospital admissions, and 1305 asthma-related emergency department presentations. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Bushfires, also known as wildfires, are a major climate-related health risk for the Australian population. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] From 2000 to 2019, 2296 deaths were associated with heat-related temperatures per year in Australia. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Zimbabwe's earlier-than-expected export ban on lithium concentrate has added further fuel to the bull case fire, with elevated spodumene prices likely to speed up the resumption of mining activities at mothballed Australian mines, wrote Fastmarkets' Lusty in a March report on the lithium industry. Investing News Network (INN)
• [New] The Australian Government has released its Expectations of data centers and AI infrastructure developers, setting out five national expectations that will guide approvals and regulatory prioritization for new and expanded data center developments in Australia. JD Supra
• [New] The conflict-driven volatility in global oil and gas markets could take months, or years to stabilise, underscoring the need for Australia to strengthen domestic resilience. Petroleum Australia
• [New] Australia and Canada have teamed up on climate action, signing a new Clean Energy Partnership that aims to maximise economic opportunities of 'clean energy' while addressing the significant challenge of climate change. Westpac IQ
• [New] In residential aged care (nursing homes), 35% of employees are from culturally diverse backgrounds and are an important growing resource in an industry where a workforce shortfall of 110,000 is predicted in the next 10 years. / Australia Frontiers
• [New] While headline inflation will fall back to target over the following year, trimmed mean inflation is forecast to remain above 3.0 %yr until end-2027 and only settle in the middle of the target range in late-2028, having peaked at 4.0 %yr at end-2026. / Australia Westpac IQ
• [New] A consequence of elevated refining margins globally, annual Australian consumer inflation is now expected to peak around 6 %yr in mid-Q2. Westpac IQ
• [New] COP 31 will take place in Antalya, Turkey, under an unusual dual-presidency arrangement: Turkey will host and lead politically, while Australia presides over negotiations and holds a pre-COP in the Pacific. EN Integrity Next
• [New] Eligible customers who take up the discounted finance offering from Volkswagen Financial Services Australia could save up to 1.0% on standard loan rates for eligible EVs, with 0.5% from the CEFC and 0.5% from VWFS. Clean Energy Finance Corporation

Last updated: 10 April 2026