Geopolitical events
On July 13, 2026, the Australian Parliament enacted the "Critical Minerals Security Act," a strategic legislative package allocating AUD 20 billion to expedite the domestic extraction and processing of rare earth elements. This policy aims to insulate the Australian economy and its strategic partners from the supply chain volatility exacerbated by the West Asia War. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese characterized the legislation as a "foundational step to ensure national industrial resilience and maintain Australia's competitive edge in the global energy transition."