ASIC Reports Record Penalties and Enforcement Actions

On March 6, 2026, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) provided an enforcement update to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, highlighting significant achievements in the latter half of 2025.

Record Financial Penalties and Consumer Compensation

ASIC Chair Joe Longo reported that from July to December 2025, the commission secured a record $350 million in civil penalties and facilitated the return of $583 million to Australian consumers. These figures underscore ASIC's commitment to holding entities accountable and protecting consumer interests.

High-Profile Legal Actions

Several notable cases were highlighted:

• The Star Entertainment Group Ltd: The Federal Court found former CEO Matthias Bekier and former Chief Legal and Risk Officer Paula Martin breached their duties concerning money laundering risks at the casino. ASIC is seeking financial penalties and disqualification from corporate management for both individuals.
• Chris Marco: The Supreme Court of Western Australia sentenced Marco to 14 years imprisonment for defrauding investors of over $34 million, marking the highest sentence following an ASIC investigation.
• ANZ Bank: In December 2025, ANZ was ordered to pay $250 million in penalties for widespread misconduct and systemic risk failures affecting the Australian Government, taxpayers, and at least 65,000 retail bank customers. This represents the highest penalties imposed on a single institution in ASIC’s history.

Focus on Corporate Governance

ASIC noted an increase in reports of misconduct, particularly concerning corporate governance. Between July and December 2025, the commission received 9,686 reports, with corporate governance issues accounting for 40% of these. This trend underscores ASIC's enforcement priorities for 2026, emphasizing the importance of robust governance practices.

For more detailed information, refer to ASIC's official statement: ASIC Enforcement Update - March 2026.