{
  "id": 3800919,
  "title": "'It's not possible to eliminate risk', but new ASIC boss is trying to limit it",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/its-not-possible-to-eliminate-risk-but-new-asic-boss-is-trying-to",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-27T19:25:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-28/why-the-new-asic-boss-is-pushing-back-red-tape-regulation/107085842"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Just over a hundred days into her tenure, Australia's corporate regulator faces the fallout of a corporate collapse involving construction group Bathla, which owes more than $3.5 billion to creditors. Sarah Court, the new ASIC boss, is closely monitoring the situation while overseeing a host of other issues. Bathla, with over 520 subsidiaries, about 2,000 homes under construction, and roughly 13,000 more in the pipeline, owes the majority of its debt to ordinary Australians who have invested in the high-risk private credit industry.\n\nCourt and her predecessor, Joe Longo, identified this industry as a potential systemic problem a year ago and ordered a deep dive into it. While the regulator can identify risk and attempt to minimize it, it cannot eliminate it entirely, as many aggrieved investors often demand after the event. Court emphasizes that Australia's permissive investment regime has benefited many but also carries the risk of investor losses.\n\nUnder Court's leadership, ASIC has taken a proactive approach to gathering intelligence on shifting markets and addressing potential issues before they escalate. However, the business sector is calling for less regulation to reduce the burden of red tape, which is estimated to cost businesses $160 billion annually and impede productivity. Court argues that strong enforcement is essential for a stable investment environment, as failure to address misconduct promptly can lead to more severe consequences and the need for stricter regulations.",
  "summary": "ASIC is keeping a close watch on Australia's 'permissive investment regime'.",
  "key_points": [
    "New ASIC boss Sarah Court monitors Bathla collapse aftermath.",
    "Bathla owes $3.5 billion to creditors, 520+ subsidiaries.",
    "Court emphasizes risk can't be eliminated, only minimized."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}