Navigating the 48th Parliament – What business needs to know
Why this matters – and why listen
Dr Carl Ungerer leads Orizontas sister agency Horizon GR and brings over 25 years of experience in national security, foreign affairs, and public policy. He has served as a senior advisor to the Australian Foreign Minister, and Head of the Leadership, Crisis and Conflict Management Program at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Carl has worked across Asia, Europe, and the US, advising governments and businesses on navigating complex political landscapes.
Orizontas is a strategic advisory firm launched in 2022 that has advised more than 20+ organisations across energy, infrastructure, health, education, and tech. Our team works with CEOs, boards, corporate affairs and government relations teams to align messaging, unlock influence, and improve decision-making in fast-moving environments.
This guide is based on what we’ve seen advising clients on both sides of policy engagement – helping shape the message and manage the risk.
Understand the new parliamentary landscape
The new Parliament will commence on 22 July 2025. With a strong ALP majority in the House, Labor can progress its legislative agenda more smoothly.
Key areas flagged for focus include:
- Cost of living
- Housing
- Tax reform
- Climate and energy
- Education
The Senate, however, will continue to be a check on government power. The structure remains fluid, with crossbenchers likely to influence outcomes on major issues including tax and housing.
Implication for business: Understanding crossbench positions and relationships will be critical to shaping outcomes, especially for sectors affected by regulation, subsidies or taxation.
Policy priorities to watch: Where the government is heading
The Albanese government has made key Machinery of Government changes that signal evolving priorities. These should shape how businesses plan policy engagement.
Here are some examples:
| Shift | What it signals | Implications for business |
|---|---|---|
| Housing moved from Social Services to Treasury | Housing now framed as an economic issue, not just a social one | Developers, construction firms, financiers should expect Treasury-led reforms tied to productivity and national competitiveness |
| NDIA added to Health portfolio under Minister Mark Butler | Focus on streamlining and stabilising health and disability systems | Service providers and insurers in the NDIS and health space should prepare for policy reform |
| ASIO and AFP returned to Home Affairs | Centralisation of domestic security agencies under Tony Burke | Expect stronger federal oversight and alignment of national security regulation across sectors, including cyber security |
| Carbon management added to Environment and Water | Tech-driven emissions reductions now part of environment policy | Clean tech, carbon capture, and industrial players should engage early on implementation frameworks |
| Digital transformation and AI flagged as priorities by the Parliamentary Library | Increased interest in regulating emerging technologies | Tech, education and platform companies should position themselves early in consultation processes |
Geopolitical headwinds: What this Parliament inherits
This government faces a global environment defined by rising economic nationalism, trade instability and heightened security competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
Even with a strong domestic mandate, Labor will need to respond to:
- US-China trade and technology tensions
- Demands for higher defence spending
- Global subsidy races in green energy and critical tech
Case in point: Orizontas recently helped a government agency prepare a robust issues and crisis mitigation strategy that included potential cyber breaches. Our understanding of the global environment, nature of the risk and the regulatory requirement ensures a real world solution in a highly dynamic environment.
Implication: Business should not assume that domestic issues will dominate the agenda. Federal attention will remain split, and proactive engagement is key to ensuring commercial interests are understood.
How to think about all of this
Whether you’re a domestic operator or global business, three types of risk and opportunity emerge:
- Policy alignment – Are you aligned with the direction of reform in areas like housing, climate, digital regulation or tax? If not, it may cost you access, funding, or influence.
- Senate and stakeholder strategy – Can you build or maintain support from crossbenchers, committees, or regulatory bodies likely to influence your sector?
- Geopolitical awareness – Are you positioned for trade, energy and security issues that may shift quickly and reshape market conditions?
Five things you must know
- Housing, climate and AI are no longer fringe issues
These are central to the Treasury, Environment and tech portfolios. Expect rapid policy movement. - The Senate is a key player
Understand who holds swing votes, especially if your business is exposed to legislation or regulation. - Government wants solutions, not problems
Proposals that help deliver outcomes will get cut-through. Frame your approach around co-benefits. - Defence, trade and Indo-Pacific policy will shape procurement and investment
Exporters, contractors and foreign investors must plan for volatility. - There is no such thing as a neutral business voice anymore
Engagement is now expected. The risk is not participating.
About Orizontas
Orizontas is a strategic advisory firm that helps CEOs, boards and government-facing teams make better decisions in complex environments. We support clients with public policy strategy, stakeholder engagement, market positioning and crisis communications.
In the last year, we have worked with:
- Top ASX-listed energy and infrastructure firms engaging in the transition to a lower carbon environment.
- Defence firms that have technology and expertise aligned to Australia’s strategic priorities.
- Privately owned property companies challenged with rising costs, regulation and skills shortages while government aims tacks housing crisis policies.
- A national retail group faced with reputational risk as a result of conflict between employees and the community on global geopolitical issues.
Contact
Dr Carl Ungerer
Email: carl.ungerer@horizongr.com.au