News In Brief

Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs.
Below are snippets of all the media releases we received from Dec 15 till the end of the week.
This article updates throughout the week.

LawVu Acquires ClauseBase

Sydney, Dec 18: LawVu has acquired ClauseBase to broaden its AI-powered legal workspace for in-house teams, rebranding ClauseBase as LawVu Draft, and launching LawVu Lens, an AI contract analysis engine built into the platform.
The company said the combined milestones value LawVu at $350 million AUD, following over 50% global revenue growth in 2025, including 30 per cent year-on-year growth in Australia, where it named AFL, Monash University, Tennis Australia and AMP Australia as customers.
LawVu said the expansion strengthens its integrated approach to legal AI across workflows including intake, matters, contracts, documents and spend, aiming to reduce reliance on multiple point solutions while maintaining governance, security and privacy standards.
Sam Kidd, CEO of LawVu said: “The acquisition of ClauseBase and the addition of LawVu Lens reinforces our vision for a more embedded, end-to-end approach to legal AI.”
Maarten Truyens, Co-Founder and CEO of ClauseBase said:”ClauseBase was built to bring a much-needed efficiency and quality boost to contract drafting and reviewing work. By joining forces with LawVu, our software will be able to tap into the LawVu ecosystem, taking our initial mission to even greater heights and offering a solution that is unmatched in the legal market. We couldn’t be more excited for it!”

ACCC Warns Retailers

Sydney, Dec 18: The ACCC has written to several major retailers ahead of Boxing Day sales, reminding them to comply with the Australian Consumer Law when advertising discounts and promotions.
The move follows the regulator’s Black Friday sales sweep, which found retailers may still be using potentially misleading tactics — including questionable countdown timers and promotions that could overstate the true size or scope of discounts.
“All retailers must ensure that any sales or discount claims they make during the Boxing Day sales are accurate, clear and not likely to mislead or deceive consumers,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“We are concerned that despite many warnings, some retailers are still using a range of tactics to misrepresent the size or scope of discounts and the duration of sales to consumers.”
“Misleading pricing practices in the retail sector is a compliance and enforcement priority for the ACCC, and we will continue to closely monitor any sales or discount claims made, particularly by large retailers,” Lowe said.
“If a retailer is found to be in breach of the law, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action,” Lowe said.
“As sales periods become longer and more frequent, we want to ensure that the discounts being advertised to consumers are genuine,” Ms Lowe said.
“We encourage consumers to shop around, compare, and keep an eye on prices before big sales events like Boxing Day, particularly if you have been waiting to make a significant purchase. Focus on the final price, not the advertised discount or promotion, to assess whether you are getting a good deal,” Lowe said.

Adobe Taps Runway Gen-4.5

Sydney, Dec 19: Adobe has signed a multi-year strategic partnership with AI video company Runway to integrate Runway’s generative video models into Adobe’s creative ecosystem, starting with early access to Runway’s new Gen-4.5 model inside the Adobe Firefly app.
Adobe will become Runway’s preferred API creativity partner, giving Firefly users first access to future Runway model releases through Adobe workflows.
The companies will also co-develop specialised AI features for professional video production that will be available exclusively in Adobe applications, beginning with Firefly, with generated clips able to flow into tools like Premiere Pro and After Effects for further refinement.
“As AI transforms video production, pros are turning to Adobe’s creative ecosystem – from Firefly to Premiere to After Effects – to imagine, craft and scale their stories across every screen,” said Ely Greenfield, chief technology officer and senior vice president, digital media, Adobe.
“We’re building AI tools that are redefining creativity, storytelling and entertainment, with Gen-4.5 as the latest example,” said Cristóbal Valenzuela, co-founder and CEO, Runway.

UniSuper Buys Brisbane Industrials

Sydney, Dec 19: UniSuper has expanded its industrial property portfolio with the acquisition of three fully leased industrial assets in Brisbane for approximately $200 million in an off-market transaction. The portfolio comprises modern manufacturing, warehouse and logistics facilities across around 53,000 square metres of gross lettable area, located in Brisbane’s south-western industrial corridor at Oxley, Darra and Richlands. The assets benefit from strong transport connectivity to the Brisbane CBD, major industrial precincts, the Port of Brisbane and Brisbane and Gold Coast airports, and are expected to gain from population growth and infrastructure investment ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. The transaction was negotiated on UniSuper’s behalf by real estate investment management firm Richmond Bridge under an industrial property investment mandat
“We’re delighted to have secured this high-quality, fully leased industrial portfolio for our members, increasing the Fund’s exposure to the strongly performing South East Queensland economy. The acquisition adds to UniSuper’s diversified $8.8 billion^ unlisted property portfolio.
Australia’s industrial property sector remains attractive with some of the lowest vacancy rates globally and a strong outlook. We expect the sector to continue to benefit from positive trends driving occupier demand for modern, high-quality warehousing and logistics accommodation against a backdrop of low vacancy and a constrained supply outlook.
The transaction highlights UniSuper’s ability to secure premium ‘off market’ investments that help our members grow their retirement savings.”

CPA Slams Cashflow Tax

Sydney, Dec 19: CPA Australia has urged the government to reject the Productivity Commission’s proposed cashflow tax, warning it would add complexity, raise compliance costs, deter investment and ultimately hit consumers.
“The cashflow tax is not simplification – it’s a radical, untested experiment that introduces multiple layers of complexity,” she said. “This additional tax will create uncertainty and confusion for taxpayers and advisers alike.
“This complexity will drive up compliance costs, increase administrative burdens and make Australia’s tax system harder to navigate for businesses already struggling with red tape.”
“Australia already has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the developed world at 30 per cent. Now the Productivity Commission recommends increasing this to an effective company tax rate of 33% and reducing dividend imputation credits. Adding another layer of complexity – and higher taxes – sends entirely the wrong message to investors and risks driving capital offshore,” Wong said.
“By attacking the strongest businesses today with higher taxes, we weaken the entire economy. Small businesses and consumers will ultimately pay the price in the form of higher costs and reduced growth.”
“We need reforms that lift productivity and attract investment, not experimental taxes that push up prices and weigh on growth,” Wong said.
“The Productivity Commission’s proposal misses the big picture of comprehensive tax reform, which the GST should be at the heart of. This proposal is a tax grab with serious consequences for the whole economy.”

RUIC Joins Connection Table

Sydney, Dec 20: Queensland’s Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) program has subscribed to The Connection Table platform to broaden its reach and connect innovation-driven leaders across regional Queensland.
Funded by the Queensland Government and delivered by CSIRO, RUIC supports Queensland-based SMEs across their R&D journey, offering skills, expertise, networks and up to $50,000 in dollar-matched funding for collaborative research projects with regional universities. RUIC says the subscription will help it reach new networks, better match SMEs with researchers, and expand the program’s impact statewide.
“This engagement creates a powerful combination,” Jo Palmer, Co-Founder of The Connection Table stated.
“RUIC ensures Queensland SMEs have the research capabilities and funding to innovate. The Connection Table ensures the RUIC team have visibility of the national influence opportunities that can be leveraged by program participants to scale their impact beyond the immediate research projects.”
In 2026, RUIC plans to host online events through The Connection Table network focused on agriculture, health and manufacturing, while its regionally based facilitators use the platform to seek introductions and identify potential research projects.