The Aussie Byte

OneMedNet Corporation has secured an agreement worth over $11.5 million to supply regulatory-grade real-world data for the development of a foundational AI model. The data will be provided through OneMedNet's iRWD platform, which includes millions of medical imaging and clinical reports from its network of over 2,300 healthcare sites spanning more than 90 million patient journeys. This agreement is expected to build on OneMedNet's commercial momentum and expanding network. Aaron Green, CEO & President of OneMedNet, stated that the company's unique capabilities in curating and delivering regulatory decision-grade Real-World Data make it an ideal partner for AI model development. The data delivery will be immediate, with in-flight anonymization built-in to ensure patient privacy and compliance.

Goodstart Early Learning, Australia's largest childcare provider with over 660 centres, has banned class photos due to child safety concerns, citing the risk of photographs being manipulated and stored insecurely. This decision follows a string of abuse incidents that led to reforms banning staff from carrying mobile devices capable of taking or transmitting images of children. The ban affects commercial photography in Goodstart centres, leaving parents without treasured keepsakes and photographers scrambling for alternative arrangements.

The headline suggests that the Australian Labor Party has been pushing for radical policy changes in the tech sector, which have not been publicly disclosed until now. This implies that these demands were made behind closed doors and significant implications for the industry.

Federal Labor MP Senator Stephen Conroy's bill to reform the NSW lockout laws has gained bipartisan support, with Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells also backing the proposal. The proposed changes aim to reduce the restrictions on late-night trading in Sydney's CBD, which have been criticized for driving up rents and stifling small businesses. If passed, the reforms would align with the recommendations of a 2018 inquiry into the laws.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced how a re-elected Labor government would deal with biometric surveillance and artificial intelligence at a press conference in one of the oldest trade union buildings in the world. The policy announcement has entrenched Victoria's reputation as anti-enterprise, according to the Business Council of Australia. The state is considered the worst place in the country to run a business by the Business Council of Australia.

Labor delegates are meeting for the party's National Conference this week to discuss an internal push to strengthen gambling regulation. An AI ethicist will explain how governments should respond after the recent OpenAI hack that has caused shockwaves worldwide. France, following Australia's lead, is banning social media for teenagers. The former French National Education Minister will speak on this development.

Sharon AI Holdings Inc., an Australian Neocloud company, has appointed Melissa Anastasiou as its Chief Legal Officer (CLO). With over two decades of experience in legal, finance, and governance, Anastasiou joins Sharon AI from Spark New Zealand, where she served as Executive Group General Counsel and Commercial Director for 16 years. As CLO, Anastasiou will lead the company's legal, governance, and compliance functions, focusing on regulatory discipline, responsible AI practices, and risk management as the business scales. The appointment is part of Sharon AI's investment in building one of the region's leading AI infrastructure teams. James Manning, CEO and Co-founder of Sharon AI, said Anastasiou's experience will support customers, partners, and investors as AI becomes critical national infrastructure.

Coro and PwC Italy have partnered to help businesses in Italy automate cybersecurity and meet NIS2 regulatory requirements through Coro's AI-native platform. The partnership aims to simplify the compliance process for organizations of all sizes, addressing the EU's directive that affects an estimated 160,000 organizations across the EU. According to ENISA, 70% of organizations now cite regulatory compliance as the primary driver behind their cybersecurity investment. Through this partnership, PwC Italy's Cybersecurity and Resilience practice will work alongside Coro's platform to give organizations a clearer path to compliance. The partnership arrives as NIS2 reshapes the regulatory landscape for critical sectors in the European economy.

The Business on ABC iview reports that Kirsten Aiken and Alicia Barry present Australia's leading daily business and finance show, bringing news on market moves, economic trends, and forces affecting consumers, investors, employees, and business owners. New episodes are available Monday to Thursday nights. The program is presented by two hosts, with no specific details provided about the content of their reporting.

Australia's former Chief Scientist Alan Finkel has proposed three laws to regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country, following concerns over data centre development, copyright protections and workforce disruption. The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced steps to regulate AI in Australia's interests. This comes after a recorded event at the Woodend Winter Arts Festival on 7 June 2026, where Finkel shared his ideas on AI regulation. As a serial tech entrepreneur, Finkel argues that governments have been asleep at the wheel on AI regulation. His proposed laws aim to balance the opportunities and risks of AI in Australia.

A power test looms for new State development laws in Western Australia's energy transition, specifically regarding connection times, according to The West Australian. Matt Mckenzie reported that the WA energy transition: Connection times big test for new state development rules on Thursday, 16 July 2026. The article did not provide further details about the power test or the specific challenges it presents.

Australia's start-up entrepreneurs have reacted negatively to the federal government's new AI regulation policy. The policy is aimed at providing firmer hands-on regulation of AI in Australia. However, the reaction from entrepreneurs suggests that the policy may be overly restrictive and could hinder innovation in the sector.

The ACCC's pursuit of supermarkets highlights its efforts to enforce competition laws and promote fair trading, as stated in its own words. The ACCC's role is to administer and enforce legislation for the benefit of all Australians, with a focus on enhancing their welfare through competition and consumer protection. This move shows that the ACCC is willing to take action against businesses that may be infringing on these laws. The ACCC has not provided further details on its specific actions or outcomes related to supermarkets.

The Australian government is preparing to unveil its stance on AI, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivering a keynote speech on Wednesday. However, talks between the government and tech firms over copyright laws have stalled, with Labor ministers rejecting an offer from AI companies to create a fund for artists in exchange for a copyright exemption. The issue has been contentious, with some arguing that waiving copyright laws would allow companies like Anthropic to train their models in Australia without compensating creators. The debate highlights the trade-offs involved in regulating AI and its impact on employment and energy use. Meanwhile, a report by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations found that AI has not yet had a major effect on employment, but may be contributing to weaker job growth in affected areas.