Canberra

Deutsche Welle reports that Australia is being forced to reconsider its dependence on the United States, examining how shifting US policies are prompting Canberra to weigh alternatives in its foreign and security posture. The discussion centres on whether long-standing US-Australia ties, including defence arrangements, remain reliable, and what options Australia has if American commitments weaken.

The chief executives of OpenAI and Anthropic have been called to appear before an Australian parliamentary inquiry into artificial intelligence. Lawmakers in Australia are examining the risks and regulation of advanced AI systems, and the summons signals Canberra's interest in holding leading US AI developers publicly accountable. The move adds to growing global scrutiny of AI companies by governments and regulators.

The ACT government has decided not to introduce anti-consorting laws, meaning the territory will remain the only Australian jurisdiction without such legislation. Critics, including law enforcement voices, warn the weaker stance is turning Canberra into a 'safe haven' for outlaw motorcycle gangs, while the government maintains its existing legal framework is sufficient to target organised crime.