How do you increase AI adoption? Well, Accenture is reportedly tracking staff use of its AI tools and linking “regular adoption” to promotions. Senior managers are being monitored on log-ins, with AI uptake now part of the leadership criteria. CEO Julie Sweet has already warned laggards may be “exited”: The Guardian

⚖️ Disputes: The NSW Court of Appeal has overturned a $7m misleading conduct finding, confirming that courts will not lightly infer representations in complex commercial contracts. Allegations that a gas supplier promised third-party “price capping insurance” failed where the contract objectively referred only to a contractual price cap. The Court stressed that silence is rarely misleading absent knowledge of a counterparty’s mistaken assumption, and that serious allegations must be squarely put in cross-examination: Bartier Perry

⚖️ Corporate: ASX has published a non-exhaustive list of factors it will weigh when assessing whether a director, CEO or CFO meets the good fame and character conditions for listing. ASX will consider the nature of the conduct (dishonest vs not), whether it was isolated or prolonged, the enforcement outcome (no action vs conviction or civil penalty), how long ago it occurred, and the conduct since. It will also look at age and seniority at the time, admission of fault, genuine contrition, subsequent board roles, regulator assessments, how the issue came to light (self-disclosed vs uncovered), and the quality of character references. But remember that none are determinative, and ASX retains absolute discretion for listings: ASX

⚖️ Consumer/Competition: The ACCC has released its 2026-27 Enforcement Priorities, with Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb signalling a continued crackdown on misleading pricing, digital dark patterns and conduct undermining competition in concentrated markets. Key focus areas include supermarkets, essential services (telecoms, energy), greenwashing, aviation and unfair contract terms (particularly auto-renewals and exit fees). Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has also flagged a push for higher penalties and sharper focus on senior executive accountability where compliance culture is weak: ACCC

One Nation is now just one point behind Labor. New polling has Pauline Hanson on 28%, trailing Labor (29%) and ahead of the Coalition (21%). While Albanese still leads as preferred PM, his net favourability sits at -17 (with just 29% positive and 46% negative) - well behind Hanson’s -1: Capital Brief

Trump is planting his flag on the Gold Coast. The Trump Organisation is backing its first Australian tower. The 91-storey hotel and luxury apartment skyscraper in Surfers Paradise is tipped to become the country’s tallest. The A$1.5bn project will feature 272 residences, a private beach club and retail precinct, nearly two decades after the idea was first pitched: Bloomberg

📈 Gilbert + Tobin topped the FY2025 ECM tables for Australian firms by value, advising on $2.21bn of equity and rights offerings for a 20.1% share, second overall behind Sidley’s $2.62bn. But on volume, Hamilton Locke dominated with 69 deals. Total equity and rights issuance hit $11.03bn across 146 transactions: Point Blank

💰 Perpetual is closing in on a Bain deal for its wealth unit, with an announcement tipped alongside half-year results. Bain, advised by Bank of America, will reportedly keep the 139-year-old Perpetual brand, a key sticking point in talks. Barrenjoey is advising Perpetual, and HSF Kramer advised Perpetual back when it signed a SID with KKR: AFR

The ACCC is bigger, bolder and better funded.

In 2025, it shifted from regulatory guidance to hard enforcement, doubled down on pricing and subscription “blitzes” in retail, and laid the groundwork for unfair contract terms test cases.

As part of special 10th anniversary ACCC Year in Review reporting, Maddocks’ Shaun Temby and Christopher Marsh are back on the Watchdog podcast, unpacking the regulator’s enforcement highs and lows from the past decade.

Listen now.