In this special crossover episode of Inside Employment and Inside Safety, Steve Bell, Tony Wood and Lucy Boyd explore the increasingly complex regulatory landscape facing Australian employers and the growing scrutiny from workplace, safety and human rights regulators.

Steve, Tony and Lucy discuss the rise in regulatory investigations and enforcement activity, the challenges employers face when responding to overlapping regulators, and the Australian Human Rights Commission’s evolving approach to enforcing the positive duty to prevent sexual harassment. They also share practical insights on governance, compliance and how organisations can prepare for greater regulatory scrutiny.

In this episode, we explore how GenAI is being integrated into real-world document review, and why hybrid approaches are fast becoming the standard.

Stephanie Barrett (Director, Legal Technology), together with Caoimhe Powell (Director, Disputes - Digital Legal Delivery) and Craig Glover (Head of Disputes, Digital Legal Delivery), unpack how GenAI and technology-assisted review (TAR) work best in combination.

Drawing on live delivery experience, they show how hybrid workflows balance contextual insight with the precision, consistency and defensibility required in high stakes matters, and why the best results come from combining the right tools, not choosing between them.

Since our last podcast in July 2025, which covered the key features of the UK's enhanced consumer protection regime introduced under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, there have been significant developments including a number of investigations and final infringement decisions under the new regime, new guidance on green claims across the supply chain, guidance on the use of AI agents, and the Government's response to the consultation on implementing the new subscription contracts regime.

Our latest podcast focuses on the CMA's first investigations into online pricing practices, pressure selling and fake or misleading consumer reviews. At the time of recording the CMA had completed three of its investigations, adopting infringement decisions with penalties and imposing consumer redress measures. The CMA has also issued advisory letters to over a hundred businesses, putting them on notice of the need to review their practices. In this podcast we take a closer look at the CMA's areas of focus and the lessons learned based on these first investigations.

After our brief hiatus, we are back with our Cross-Examining Cyber Director Series. In this series, we sit down with some of Australia's leading directors to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing boards in an increasingly complex cyber landscape.

In this episode, we cross-examine Anne Templeman-Jones, one of Australia's most accomplished business leaders and non-executive directors. Anne has served on the boards of Commonwealth Bank, GUD Holdings Limited, Worley Limited, and Blackmores (as Chair). She has also held board and leadership roles with Cuscal Limited, HT&E Limited, Pioneer Credit Limited, TAL Superannuation Fund… the list goes on. Anne is also passionate about technology and cyber security – what a combination!

In this conversation, Anne shares insights from her boardroom experience, including how directors can navigate emerging technology risks, approach cyber resilience, and balance governance with growth and innovation. Drawing on a career that has spanned multiple industries, Anne reflects on what makes an effective director and the lessons that boards can apply in an increasingly uncertain digital environment.

Thanks again for listening. This is Cross-Examining Anne Templeman-Jones. Here we go…

In Part 2 of our climate reporting series, we build on the themes from Episode 50 and shift the focus to what comes next.

As the first wave of disclosures has wrapped up, attention has turned to the next climate reporting cycles - particularly for June and September year-end companies. The question now is: what lessons can organisations take forward?

In this episode, we unpack key takeaways from the first round of sustainability reporting and explore how they can be applied in practice for future reporters. We also take a closer look at ASIC’s early observations and share our perspective on what these mean, and how companies can consider them going forward.

Welcome back to The Third Wheel. In this episode, we turn our attention to one of the new features of the annual reporting landscape: mandatory climate disclosures.

With the first wave of reporting now completed, we thought it was the perfect moment to pause and reflect. What’s working well? Where are organisations still finding their footing? And what challenges are starting to surface?

This episode kicks off a two-part series, where we explore early trends emerging from the first round of disclosures. We share our initial observations, highlight recurring hurdles or challenges, and point to areas where reporting is already showing real progress.

In this episode of On Just Terms, partners Jason Betts and Melissa Gladstone sit down with Dr Peter Cashman, adjunct professor at UNSW and leading barrister, to discuss the evolution of Australia’s class action regime.

Drawing on decades of experience, Dr Cashman reflects on its role in improving corporate governance, product safety and access to justice, while addressing ongoing challenges around cost, delay and efficiency. He also outlines a range of reforms aimed at creating a faster, fairer and more effective class action system for all participants.

In this episode of Inside Employment, Natalie Gaspar and Lucy Boyd are joined by HSF Kramer Disputes Partner, Melissa Gladstone to explore the rise of employment class actions in Australia and why they have become one of the fastest-growing litigation risks for employers.

Natalie, Lucy and Melissa discuss the factors driving this trend, how employment class actions differ from traditional workplace disputes, and the unique challenges they create for employers. They also share practical steps organisations can take to mitigate risk, including governance, early issue detection and prompt remediation.