Mallesons Podcasts

Australia’s rapidly growing data centre industry will need significant volumes of firmed, renewable power to support future demand. This episode explores the different ways data centres could secure that energy, and whether retailers may ultimately offer the most practical solution by managing the full energy package.Key topics discussed:Contracting directly with renewable projects or Independent Power Producers (IPPs)Co-located generation and behind-the-meter solutionsBuilding and managing their own energy supplyThe role of retailers in delivering integrated energy solutionsHost: Rod SmytheGuests: Shirley Cheng and Amelia Mellor

Young people are often at the centre of public debate about crime, but the debates rarely reflect the complexities of the issue. In this episode, host Clem Johnson speaks with Tim Solomon from Berry Street Yooralla and Travis Toemoe, partner at Mallesons, about their experiences working with young people. They explore the role of trauma, poverty, and disadvantage in shaping young people’s experiences, why punitive approaches are not effective, and how restorative practice, early intervention and community connection offer a better way forward. CREDITS: Host: Clem JohnsonExecutive Producer & Editor: Pariya TaherzadehCo-Producers: Clem Johnson, Tania Winlaw, Elise Perry, Saskia Ilott Video Editor: Pariya Taherzadeh This episode is brought to you by Mallesons.

Governance remains one of the most important and closely scrutinised issues facing boards and regulated entities. In this episode, Mallesons Partners Nathan Hodge and Tim Bednall discuss what good governance looks like for financial services organisations, the evolving role of boards and management, lessons emerging from the Financial Accountability Regime, and APRA's proposed reforms to CPS 510. The discussion explores how governance frameworks can drive accountability, improve decision making and respond to increasing regulatory expectations across the financial services sector.Key topics discussed:What good governance looks like in practiceThe respective roles of boards and managementBoard skills, capability and industry experienceGovernance, culture and behavioural expectationsLessons from the implementation of FARKey developments and practical implications arising from APRA's proposed CPS 510 reformsHost: Nathan Hodge, Mallesons PartnerGuest: Tim Bednall, Mallesons Partner

In this episode of View from Asia, Mallesons International Director David Olsson AM shares a conversation originally recorded for the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Director Download podcast.David explores how Australian businesses can build the capability to turn access to Asian markets into opportunity, strengthen resilience and navigate the region’s evolving geopolitical and regulatory landscape.Topics discussed include:Building capability to turn market access into opportunityDiversifying supply chains and strengthening resilienceASEAN’s digital transformation, including the Digital Economy Framework AgreementWhy Asia cannot be treated as a single marketNavigating geopolitical and regulatory risk, and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s guidance on geopolitical riskBuilding a genuine regional strategy.Subscribe to View from Asia for the latest insights on the issues shaping business across Asia. 

What does increasing geopolitical and supply chain uncertainty mean for the contracts and commercial relationships businesses rely on?In this episode of View from Asia, Amanda Lees, Mallesons partner in Singapore, and International Director David Olsson AM explore why force majeure is back in the spotlight as businesses navigate disruption. They consider how force majeure clauses apply in practice, how businesses should approach long-term and cross-border contracts, and when other contractual protections may be needed.They also examine the role of trusted relationships and local knowledge across Asia, and the practical questions boards and executives should be asking to build resilience before disruption occurs.Prefer to read? Here’s our written summary of the episode: http://www.mallesons.com/au/en/insights/latest-thinking/view-from-asia-force-majeure-and-the-power-of-business-relationships.htmlArticles referenced:Asia capability under pressure: lessons from the Hormuz disruptionBuilding Asia capability as a resilience strategy: what boards need to askWhat's next for Australian businesses in Southeast Asia? Stay up to dateSubscribe to View from Asia for the latest insights on the issues shaping business across Asia. 

AI is moving from experimentation to embedded workflow. But with new opportunities for productivity and innovation, come important questions about workforce design, governance, skills, safety, employee wellbeing and the role of human judgment. In this fireside chat, Scientia Professor Toby Walsh will explore how AI is likely to reshape workplaces and the broader economy. Drawing on his work on the intersection of AI, industry and public policy, you will learn how leaders can harness AI responsibly, build workplace capability and create sustainable value.This session brings practical insights into how organisations can adapt with confidence while keeping people at the centre of change. Speakers:• Scientia Professor Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist, UNSW.ai; Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence, UNSW Sydney• Cilla Robinson, Partner, MallesonsResources:Mallesons Digital Future SummitMallesons AI insightsGod AI: Boom or Doom? What to expect when machines outsmart us

The next wave of AI and emerging technology promises productivity gains but the conditions for realising them are becoming more complex. In a more contested and constrained global environment, technology strategy can no longer be separated from geopolitics or policy settings.This session brings together leading economic and geopolitical perspectives to unpack: • where risks are rising • where opportunities remain and are emerging, and • how organisations can build resilience and advantage in a more fragmented digital world. Dr Stephen King (Productivity Commission), Dr Merriden Varrall (VantageGeopol) and Cameron Mitchell (ANZ) examine how AI, data, industrial policy and global instability are reshaping the way technology is developed, accessed and commercialised and the implications. A high-value discussion for organisations confronting the reality that capturing value from AI is now as much about operating context as it is about capability. Speakers:• Dr Stephen King, Commissioner, Productivity Commission • Dr Merriden Varrall, CEO, Vantage Geopol • Cameron Mitchell, Head of Geopolitical Risk, ANZ • Annabel Griffin, Partner, MallesonsResources:Mallesons Digital Future SummitMallesons AI insightsProductivity Commission releases final report into Harnessing Data and Digital Technologies

Online safety has become a mainstream business issue. As digital platforms and connected services play a larger role in everyday life, regulatory expectations around safety, trust and accountability continue to develop and have significant implications for an ever-expanding range of digital businesses. In this session, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant talks about the next phase of online safety regulation and what it means for organisations operating in a more highly scrutinised digital environment. The discussion will touch on Australia’s world-first minimum age requirements for social media platforms, the implementation of new online safety codes, the government’s commitment to legislate for a broad digital duty of care, safety risks associated with emerging technologies, and the growing importance of social license in online operations. Gain a clear understanding of relevant regulatory priorities in this area and how to design online safety compliance systems in a way that is likely to align with regulatory expectations.Speakers:• Julie Inman Grant PSM, eSafety Commissioner• Michael Swinson, Partner, Mallesons • Bryony Evans, Partner, MallesonsResources: Mallesons Digital Future SummitMallesons Data and Tech insightseSafety tech trends and challengesSocial Media Minimum Age Bill Introduced

Major cyber and data incidents now trigger a widening set of consequences, including regulator action, complex litigation including class actions, and reputational fallout. Organisations are increasingly judged on how well they anticipate and respond.Our panel unpacks the fast-evolving disputes landscape at the intersection of privacy, cyber incidents, regulatory enforcement, and class actions. Her Honour Justice Kate Richardson, barrister Nicholas De Young KC and Mallesons litigators explore:• where claims are developing, and what new claims are expected to emerge from recent law reform• what is driving regulator action and plaintiff activity in Australia, and• the practical steps organisations can take before, during and after a significant privacy incident to prepare for and manage anticipated litigation.A timely session for in-house lawyers, boards and senior executives, offering a clear view of where privacy risk is heading and how privacy incidents can develop into complex material litigation with a long tail.Speakers:• The Honourable Justice Kate Richardson, Supreme Court of New South Wales • Nicholas De Young KC, Barrister • Peta Stevenson, Partner, Mallesons • James Russell, Partner, MallesonsResources:Mallesons Digital Future SummitMallesons Data and Privacy insights'Data wars' insight seriesPrivacy Law Annual Update

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how businesses understand and prepare for rapidly evolving local and international events an increasingly complex operating environment.  Drawing on Anthea Roberts’ work on AI complex decision-making and the future shape of professional services, the discussion will examine the interaction between technology, strategy, business models, and the enduring role of professional judgment. We unpack practical examples of how AI is being used to achieve clarity and cut through for complex decision making within a business. An insightful session for leaders thinking beyond short-term and singular-lens scenario planning who are grappling with how to capitalise on AI to bring broad & unique perspectives to complex decision-making scenarios.  Speakers:• Anthea Roberts, Founder and CEO, Dragonfly Thinking; Professor, School of Regulation and Global Governance, Australian National University • Bryony Evans, Partner, MallesonsResources:Mallesons Digital Future SummitMallesons AI insightsGovernance in the age of agentic AI