AACC NEWS AND EVENTS

JUNE 2025

AACC President

Dawn Lillington

Hello AACC Members and Friends,

It's hard to believe we're nearly halfway through 2025 and what a wild and exciting six months it's been! The past few weeks alone have felt like a whirlwind. If you can, I hope you're able to carve out a little time this summer to recharge and escape the daily headlines.

Here at the AACC, we've been busy! Our new Board members are officially in place, and we're already off and running. As we look ahead, we're inviting your input into our 2025/26 strategy. Your voice and insights are incredibly valuable, and we'd love to hear from you. See link below. Also save the date for our AGM on July 30th, more details to follow.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for coffee in San Mateo and San Francisco we'll be popping up in Marin soon, so stay tuned! July is shaping up to be another full month, and we can't wait to connect with many of you at our upcoming events.

Cheers,

Dawn

On behalf of the AACC Board

MEMBER SURVEY

The AACC recently welcomed a number of new board members and wanted to take this opportunity to gather feedback from our community about what we are doing well and where we need to improve.

We are also approaching an important milestone with the 50th Australian Gala due to be celebrated in San Francisco in February 2026.

This survey should only take a few minutes to complete, and as a thank you for your time, you'll have the chance to win a mixed case of 6 bottles of Australian wine! Simply add your name to the end of the survey to be entered into the draw. Please note, winners must be in the Bay Area to collect their prize.

Thank you for helping the AACC grow.

START SURVEY

...FROM THE VICTORIA DESK

AACC Director

Helen Fairclough MAICD

Hi there!

Winter has settled in back home in Melbourne, and while the mornings are crisp and foggy, the city is anything but sleepy. Footy season is in full swing and MCG matchdays are buzzing, with mid-year ladder jostling heating up (sorry Dees fans from a Pies diehard—it’s character building, right?).

Economic Pulse Check

Australia’s economic tempo remains cautious yet resilient. Latest Australian gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.2 per cent in the March quarter 2025 and 1.3 per cent compared to the March quarter 2024, hinting at green shoots. Inflation has returned to target but remains a pressure point and private sector investment remains subdued—a key uncertainty as policy settings begin to loosen.

Australia has officially commenced a rate-cutting cycle, as the RBA once again cut the official interest rate, now at 3.85 per cent as of May, 2025, marking its lowest level in two years, amongst predictions of further cuts as it continues to monitor global economic uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions and supply chain fragility.

Labour markets are still tight; unemployment rate remained at 4.1% though we've started seeing underemployment rise subtly to 6.0%. Many businesses are focusing on workforce capability and productivity as a hedge against rising operational costs.

Trade, Innovation & What’s Ahead

Victoria continues to bolster its role as Australia’s gateway for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. With trade delegation activity ramping up ahead of the World Chambers Congress in September, it's a good time to connect across borders.

Tariffs and regulatory shifts in the US and Indo-Pacific are keeping international business teams busy—particularly in export compliance and digital trade frameworks. If you’re operating transnationally, now is a good time to review market access strategies and tariff risk mitigation.

What’s Happening in Melbourne?

If you're flying home or sending visitors, Melbourne has an impressive lineup of events across winter and early spring:

Kimono – NGV International (until Oct 5): Features kimono and kimono inspired costume, key pieces by fashion innovators Issey Miyake, John Galliano, Hiroko Takahashi, bold Harajuku street fashions, paintings, posters, wood block prints, magazines and decorative arts from the captivating kimono story.
Open House Melbourne (27–28 July): Take a peek inside the city’s most fascinating architecture, from historic gems to cutting-edge sustainability design.
World Chambers Congress (3–5 September, MCEC): Hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce and Victorian Chamber, this global summit on business leadership and innovation is a key opportunity for connection.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our recent Women’s History Month event where the power of our AACC SF network delivered a stellar panel. I felt privileged to moderate such a talented line-up and the energy and insights from Neeti Mehta Shukla, Naomi Seddon, and Dr Yelda Kaya made for an unforgettable discussion. We thank them for giving so generously of their time.

And I have to say, as a bit of a plug for my hometown, even with winter setting in, Melbourne’s heart is always warm. Whether you're cheering on your team at the G, exploring the NGV, or enjoying a cosy red at your favourite laneway haunt—there’s nowhere quite like it (I'm sure even the Sydneysiders agree ;)).

Until next time, stay curious and connected!

Warmly,

Helen

UPCOMING EVENTS

We had a great turnout in San Mateo last month, so we're bringing the coffee meet up to Marin, join us!

📅 Friday, June 27

🕔 10:00 am - 11:00 am

📍 Buvette du Marais, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing

RECENT EVENTS

13th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SCRAMBLE

Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame - June 5, 2025

⛳ A huge thank you to everyone who played a part in making the 13th Annual International Golf Scramble a success!!

✨ Our generous sponsors Telstra, AKCC, 909Cyber, The Olympic Club, Charity Golf International, Claremont Resort & Club, The St. Regis San Francisco, The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, San Francisco Unicorns, Penfolds.

🌎 Our international partner organizations who brought together a diverse and vibrant group of players.

👐 Our dedicated volunteers.

🏆 Congratulations to our prize winners, especially the winning foursome representing the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California (JCCNC), see the full list here.

We look forward to seeing you next year!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

LATEST NEWS FROM AACC MEMBERS

EUROPEAN PRIDE PARADE 2025

The Australian Consulate is joining the European Consulates in the Bay Area to march in the 55th San Francisco Pride Parade on June 29 and invites you to join them.

Let's come together to celebrate love, equality, and diversity, and show our shared commitment to inclusion and human rights. Bring your flags, your friends and your pride - everyone is welcome. Register at the link below, there is an option to select 'Australia'.

AUSSIE EXPAT ALERT: U.S. SET TO TAX YOUR TRANSFERS HOME

A proposed 3.5% U.S. remittance tax on outbound transfers by non-citizens—including Australian expats—has passed the House and may take effect on 1 January 2026. If enacted, this levy will apply to all transferred amounts, including investment gains, and will be automatically withheld by financial institutions.

For expats regularly moving funds back to Australia, this could mean substantial long-term costs. However, with smart, timely action, these impacts can be reduced or even avoided. Strategies can be implemented to protect your wealth—but timing is critical. Take action before 2026 to stay ahead of the proposed tax.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

SYDNEY BASED SAMSARA ECO SIGNS A 10-YEAR CIRCULAR ECONOMY DEAL WITH LULULEMON

Investment NSW is proud to share that Lululemon has signed a multi-year deal with NSW clean-tech company Samsara Eco to bring the first infinitely recycled nylon and polyester to the apparel market. Samsara Eco uses a groundbreaking enzymatic process to break down blended fabrics back into new, virgin-quality material.

This partnership, which builds on Lululemon's previous investment in the company, will help scale textile-to-textile recycling. It marks a significant move toward Lululemon's goal of creating a circular ecosystem and reducing its environmental impact, with sample products having already been created from the recycled materials.

AI REGULATORY HORIZON TRACKER - COVERING EXISTING LAWS, PROPOSED LEGISLATION, GUIDELINES, AND ENFORCEMENT MEASURES IN 22 JURISDICTIONS

What are the AI-specific regulations and governance frameworks influencing the development of AI technologies?

As AI revolutionises industries and transforms societies, effective governance has become critical. Today's organisations face dual challenges: adapting to complex regulatory landscapes worldwide while solving practical governance issues within their own operations.

Bird & Bird have developed a comprehensive AI Regulatory Horizon Tracker covering 22 jurisdictions, providing details on existing laws and proposed legislation to guidelines and enforcement actions.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

BUY TICKETS

SAN FRANCISCO NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE

If you're new to San Francisco, or thinking about where to buy check out our neighborhood guide from AACC member and San Francisco Real Estate professional Caitlin D'Aprano

READ THE GUIDE