Publication,

NEXT: Edition 6

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Australia
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WELCOME TO KWM'S SIXTH EDITION OF NEXT

Professional services organisations have developed a strong appetite in defining, capturing and reporting on the environmental and social impact of their operations and advice they offer clients. To do this effectively, organisations need to consider four key elements:

  1. define your organisation’s core values and purpose
  2. actively listen to stakeholders
  3. apply an ESG lens in all aspects of strategy, planning and decision making
  4. decide relevant impact frameworks and commit to thoughtful information collection and reflection.

“Navigating risk and opportunity will require calibrated solutions that balance these competing priorities, and which are aligned with long-term sustainability and profitability. It will demand targeted, measurable and trackable action plans and—in some cases—trade-offs”
– Harvard Law School. 

Responsibility in the digital age criss-crosses a minefield of overlapping and complex challenges and a significant challenge for business and government is to marry advancements in technology with social responsibility. A critical factor is the cyber landscape and educating businesses on cyber security obligations and how organisations can play a more proactive role to navigate cyber threats.

‘Equitable futures’ is a key theme within the ESG agenda of most organisations. In this issue, we explore topics driving this theme, including impact investing and clean, affordable energy as well as shining a light on how inequality affects us all.  You can read this eidition's articles below.

Featured In Next

Insight

Equitable fuel of the future? Developing the hope of hydrogen

The global appetite for cost-competitive green hydrogen has seen the US, the EU, Australia and others introduce incentives to lure investment and encourage development.

17 July 2023

Insight

Australia’s cyber landscape – how do we compare?

Cyber incidents are increasing in regularity and becoming more high-profile. It’s a constant and costly reminder that effective cyber resilience is fundamental to realising the promised benefits of digitisation.

17 July 2023

Insight

Inequality affects us all

Australia is witnessing a concerning trend. Rising inequality. As the gap between the very wealthy and low-income people and households widens, it not only threatens the fabric of society but also imposes significant costs on health, business, and the environment.

17 July 2023

Insight

Social impact investing – the best things in life are free

The 2023 Federal Budget allocated nearly $200 million over 6 years to address entrenched community disadvantage, including $11.6 million to promote social impact investment. It’s not huge, but a start.

17 July 2023

Download Previous Editions

Latest Thinking
Insight
Yesterday the Federal government released its long-awaited draft legislation to ban the use of post-employment non-compete clauses for workers earning below the “high income threshold” and non-poaching clauses for all employees, together with extending the existing cartel framework to cover no-poach and wage-fixing arrangements between entities.

08 September 2026

Insight
We examine the ACCC’s response to CHOICE’s designated complaint and its call for stronger product safety rules, including for online marketplaces.

07 September 2026

Insight
On 3 September 2026, Federal Treasury published exposure draft legislation to implement the 30 per cent minimum tax on certain discretionary trusts, a measure which was announced in the 2026-27 Federal Budget and will apply from 1 July 2028.

04 September 2026