Global Scans · Australia · Weekly Summary

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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] Innovative prevention and treatment strategies will be needed to address the increasing rates of disorders in younger Australian adults. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Rising temperatures across Australia could increase the burden of mental and behavioural disorders by almost 50% by 2050. Newsroom | University of Adelaide
• [New] Late last month, Varda signed an agreement with spaceport operator Southern Launch that will allow up to 20 reentries of its capsule in Australia through 2028. SiliconANGLE
• [New] The count of digital-only bank account holders is projected to reach 22.6 million by 2026. / Australia openpr
• [New] The research has the potential to change how we care for AF patients across Australia. Home
• [New] A new University of South Australia study will aim to ease the emotional stress experienced by thousands of Australians living with atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder in the world. Home
• [New] While the risk to Australia from Ebola in DRC is very low, that could well change if an outbreak progresses. The Guardian
• [New] Space is pivoting to the Airbus-Leonardo joint venture, pooling research and development, and cutting duplication to restore profitability after 2026. / Australia Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] Westpac forecasts Q3 headline CPI at 1.1% Q/Q and Trimmed Mean at 0.8% Q/Q. / Australia investing.com
• [New] Insufficient investment in Defence could restrict the ability of future generations to defend Australian territory and populations. Intergenerational Fairness Coalition
• [New] There are hopes that a historic rare earth and critical minerals processing agreement signed by the US and Australia this week will speed projects up. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Chinese demand for Australian canola is expected to strengthen again in 2026, improving prospects for GM varieties. RFD-TV
• [New] In the long term, investment and production of critical minerals could increase strongly in Australia, noting that some climate policy scenarios suggest global demand will grow strongly. Reserve Bank of Australia
• [New] Officials expect to launch new prepositioning programs in the Philippines, Australia, and Palau - alongside existing ones in Norway and afloat - to expand regional responsiveness and enhance alliances. DefenseScoop
• [New] The AUKUS partnership could cost Australia $368 billion. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] The US is due to transfer the first submarine to Australia in 2032. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] As part of the first pillar of AUKUS, Australia is supposed to get its Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the US in the early 2030s. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Australia has an opportunity to show genuine climate leadership, and support Vanuatu and Colombia's process for a global phase out of fossil fuels. Mirage News
• [New] Locals are hopeful a $13 billion US-Australia critical minerals deal set to build a new gallium refinery south of Perth will boost jobs and revitalise towns, but green groups are concerned about the environmental impacts of processing on shore. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] The US and Australian governments will fund a new gallium refinery at Wagerup, south of Perth, as part of a $13 billion critical minerals deal. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• In the Northern Territory, Arafura's Nolans Project will produce about 5% of global rare earths, strengthening energy security and defence supply chains for Australia and its allies. Mirage News

Last updated: 31 October 2025