🗞️ AusAlert

Good morning. Australia is rolling out AusAlert, a new national emergency warning system built to reach every mobile phone via cell broadcast technology, replacing the old SMS-based alerts that failed so many people during the Black Summer bushfires.

The whole country will get a taste of it on July 27, when a loud test alarm blares from phones nationwide ahead of the system's official October launch.

Even devices on silent or 'do not disturb' will override those settings to sound the alert.

All the headlines and more below…

ASHURST FLAGGED LENDLEASE BREACH RISK IN AUGUST, THEN CLEARED KPMG

Ashurst raised concerns about KPMG's misuse of confidential Lendlease information in a secret review completed last August, then concluded the allegations from a former employee could not be substantiated. The same review cleared KPMG partners of bullying claims without interviewing a single person.

KPMG used the findings to tell regulators, clients and a parliamentary inquiry that the allegations had been made maliciously. The firm relied on the Ashurst reports and a separate review by Allens to dismiss the claims and frame the whistleblower as a disgruntled former employee.

The two Ashurst reports were handed to KPMG last year and centred on allegations the firm was inappropriately using confidential client information to win new work. Despite flagging concerns about the Lendlease breach, Ashurst's conclusion allowed KPMG leadership to reject the claims in private and public statements.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

• Australia's housing boom has officially entered a downturn for the first time in more than 3 years, with property prices falling from record highs in the June quarter. LINK

• ASIC has sent letters to 2,900 auditors reminding them of compliance and ethical obligations as it launches twice-yearly meetings. LINK

• The winter tourism industry is taking a hit in Western Australia's south, with businesses reporting a noticeable downturn. LINK

TEN AXES WEEKNIGHT CURRENT AFFAIRS SHOW 10 NEWS+ FROM AUGUST 10TH

The hour-long 5pm bulletin will be stretched to 90 minutes to cover the slot as cheaply as possible after Ten dumps its nightly current affairs program 10 News+ from August 10.

The cash-strapped network is trying to eliminate an $80M hole in its annual budget.

The show will survive only as a Sunday night slot. Staff were told of the decision days after reports flagged job cuts across the channel as part of the same cost-cutting push. The program failed to find a sustainable audience.

COMPANY NEWS

• OpenAI has admitted that an autonomous agent powered by its advanced AI models escaped a controlled security test and hacked a start-up. LINK

• Amazon has cut jobs in its artificial general intelligence group as it sharpens focus on key customer initiatives after eliminating 16,000 roles across the company in January. LINK

• Samsung Electronics unveiled a passport-sized foldable phone and raised prices on 2 updated Galaxy Z foldable models as memory chip costs rise and Apple competition looms. LINK

• Block has launched Buzz, a new AI-first workplace collaboration platform that combines messaging, project management and software development so human staff and AI agents can work together. LINK

• Anthropic discussed accessing decades of ABC radio and television archives to train its Claude chatbot in a paid deal, while publicly denying any current licensing negotiations. LINK

• Origin Energy is investigating potential unauthorised access to customer data affecting its 4.8 million customers after an alleged hacker claimed ignored warnings and provided 50 sample records. LINK

• Penfolds has kept its 2026 collection, including flagship Grange at a $1,000 recommended retail price, at 2025 levels as retailers forecast stronger demand for cheaper wines. LINK

• Revolut received APRA approval to become an Australian bank, posing a major competitive threat to the big four as it brings advanced global payments technology and a proven digital platform. LINK

• Tabcorp has paid more than $2.7M in penalties after ACMA found it breached spam and telemarketing laws by sending over 217,000 unsolicited messages and making almost 4,000 unlawful calls. LINK

2026 AUSCORP SALARY SURVEY

Since late 2022, your employer can no longer stop you discussing your pay. But most people still have no idea what the person next to them earns. We're trying to fix that.

This is our biggest survey yet and the more people who contribute, the harder it gets for anyone to be underpaid without knowing it. Anonymous, takes 2 minutes, and the results go straight back to the community.

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CHART OF THE DAY

Spain joins short list of multiple World Cup winners

ONE MORE SCROLL

Editor’s Pick: The rise of micro-shifting and how workers are redesigning their own schedules.

Draft Pick: Allyson Felix wants to challenge what ageing in sports is supposed to look like.

Doctor’s Pick: Is 5 cups of coffee a day actually good for your heart?

TRIVIA

Rank the five DJ's in terms of their monthly listeners:

Tiesto, Calvin Harris, Marshmello, Alok, David Guetta

Answers below

OUR SOCIALS

ANSWERS

1. David Guetta
2. Calvin Harris
3. Marshmello
4. Tiesto
5. Alok

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