ALT Foxtel Cable Television Pty Ltd (Foxtel) has been found in breach of broadcasting laws after its coverage of a motorsport event included tobacco branding. An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found the broadcast of events at the New Zealand Grand Prix on Fox Sports on 31 January 2026 featured a vintage race car displaying the branding of two well-known cigarette brands. The branding appeared prominently and repeatedly during approximately 20 minutes of coverage, including in slow-motion replays and a close-up shot lasting approximately 40 seconds.

ALT The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) welcomes new laws that substantially increase penalties for telcos that breach consumer protection rules and strengthen the ACMA’s enforcement powers. The Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025 significantly increases maximum civil penalties for corporate breaches of industry codes, industry standards and service provider determinations. It also strengthens the infringement notice penalty framework. Registered industry codes will become directly enforceable, allowing the ACMA to act on breaches without first directing a provider to comply.

ALT Social media is alight with the concept of ‘fibre-maxxing’ – increasing fibre intake throughout the day. While the terminology may be novel, the principle aligns with longstanding dietary recommendations encouraging greater consumption of fibre-rich foods. Dietitians, nutritionists, health bloggers and influencers are increasingly using social media to share practical advice, recipes, food swaps and meal planning strategies to help Australians meet their fibre needs. Despite longstanding dietary guidance promoting the benefits of fibre, Australians’ fibre intake remains low. While adults should aim for 25 to 30 g of fibre per day, about 72% of Australians fail to meet these recommendations.

ALT A Victorian timber wholesaler and importer, Bayswood Timber Wholesalers Pty Ltd, has paid a penalty of $19,800 for making allegedly false or misleading statements about the suitability of its timber to be used in certain building applications in defined bushfire-prone areas. The ACCC issued Bayswood with an infringement notice after investigating concerns that Bayswood marketed its Meranti timber product as having a certain density and being suitable for defined bushfire-prone areas. In fact, the Meranti timber was insufficiently dense to meet the density requirements for the stated bushfire standard for some building applications.

ALT The ACCC has approved Peter Warren Automotive Holdings Limited’s (ASX: PWR) (Peter Warren) acquisition of Wakeling Automotive Group’s new car dealerships, subject to conditions that Peter Warren divest eight dealership sites. Peter Warren and Wakeling Automotive both operate new car dealerships around the suburbs of Campbelltown, Narellan and Smeaton Grange in Sydney’s Macarthur region. The dealerships also offer servicing and repairs. The ACCC found that the proposed acquisition could substantially lessen competition in the supply of new cars, servicing and repairs in the Macarthur region.