The High Court held that the court’s power under the Gangs Act 2024 to order seized gang insignia to be “destroyed or otherwise disposed of” could not be used to return a seized Mongrel Mob patch to its owner. The decision is significant in re-asserting a more orthodox approach to statutory interpretation that places greater emphasis on the statutory text.

The Court of Appeal held that mine shafts could not be consented on an unformed ‘paper’ road on conservation land for gold mining operations.

Before rising for the 2026 election, the House of Representatives adopted new rules for the operation of the next Parliament. The changes include a new Legislative Scrutiny Committee, revised procedures for passing legislation under urgency and new guidance on how select committees should approach public submissions.