Scams & Payments: New text-message verification rules aim to make it harder for scammers to impersonate banks, businesses and government, but small firms that rely on texting are asking how it will work in practice. Tax & Compliance Pressure: CPA Australia warns proposed CGT changes could create a compliance bill up to $825m in transitional costs, with ongoing costs potentially far higher than the government’s estimates—raising stakes for founders and SMBs. SMB Tech & AI Adoption: A new push highlights that many SMEs still can’t turn AI hype into outcomes due to time, skills and practical guidance gaps, even as AI tools spread. Startup Funding for Founders: Startmate lands an $8m Minderoo Foundation boost to back more women founders, while a strong week of Australian startup capital includes NRF-backed Silicon Quantum Computing and funding for Dentroid and Earlytrade. Jobs & Local Spend: Stanwell’s $70.5m Unit 3 overhaul in Central Queensland brings about 400 extra workers, lifting demand for local hospitality and services. Construction Safety: An ACT case fined a contractor and director $110k after an excavator incident at a Gungahlin site amputated a worker’s toe. Energy & Industry Uncertainty: Tasmania’s Liberty Bell Bay manganese smelter faces fresh deal trouble, putting 216 jobs at risk again. Roads for Regional Growth: NSW’s Sturt Highway taskforce says renewable-energy freight is rising but federal budget funding for upgrades is missing, despite a worsening crash record. Business Finance Stress: Creditors of NT iron ore miner Nathan River Resources (owed $360m+) criticise oversight after the company collapsed, leaving suppliers and workers out of pocket. SMB Growth Support: A new Florida Small Business Development Center is opening (US-based), but the theme is clear: more no-cost consulting and training for local entrepreneurs.