Market recap – Recent key developments in Australian Digital Assets regulation
Australia’s digital assets sector has undergone several major regulatory developments in recent months. Below is a high-level chronological recap of the key consultations, legislative proposals, and updates shaping the industry’s landscape during this period. Treasury consults on exposure draft legislation regulating digital asset platforms On 25 September 2025, Treasury opened consultation on draft legislation to […]
ReadmoreA system under strain: The “unsustainable” rise in Fair Work Commission applications
In a statement released earlier this month by Justice Hatcher, President of the Fair Work Commission, the current workload of the Fair Work Commission (Commission) has been put under the spotlight.[1] Justice Hatcher expressed concern that the continuing growth in applications is “unsustainable within the Commission’s current operational, performance and funding structures” and compromises “the […]
Readmore2025 year in review: A recap of workplace law changes and upcoming changes in 2026
This past year saw numerous changes to workplace laws and significant case developments. This article provides a summary of the 2025 changes and an overview of some key changes to have on your radar for 2026. Key updates: What employers need to know 1. Employment contracts: The future of set-off clauses In September 2025, the […]
ReadmoreBreaking the silence: Victoria to restrict the use of non-disclosure agreements in workplace sexual harassment cases
On 29 October 2025, the Victorian Government introduced the Restricting Non-Disclosure Agreements (Sexual Harassment at Work) Bill 2025 (Vic) (Bill) to parliament. The Bill responds to findings by the Ministerial Taskforce on Workplace Sexual Harassment in Victoria (Taskforce) that non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are being misused to silence workers who have been subjected to sexual harassment, […]
ReadmoreVictoria’s planning shake up: What developers need to know
Victoria is on the cusp of its most transformative planning reform in decades. The Planning Amendment Better Decisions Made Faster Bill 2025 (Bill) aims to modernise the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Act), streamlining approvals, reducing delays and accelerating housing delivery. These sweeping changes will directly affect landowners and developers, altering permit application processes, planning […]
ReadmoreConsumer Express | October 2025 Edition
In the October 2025 edition of Consumer Express, we explore the latest legal and regulatory developments impacting the consumer sector, with a focus on the emerging trends and challenges our clients are navigating. This edition covers the continued growth in online retail spending, driven by the rise of mobile-first shopping experiences, as well as the […]
ReadmoreFederal Court confirms $5.8m penalty against Australian Clinical Labs over data breach
The Federal Court has confirmed Australian Clinical Labs (ACL) must pay a $5.8m civil penalty along with $400,000 in legal costs to settle proceedings commenced by the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).[1] The proceedings arose from the OAIC’s investigation into a cybersecurity attack on Medlab Pathology (Medlab) that exposed personal information relating to approximately 223,000 Australians,[2] […]
ReadmoreHow are heritage properties in Victoria now assessed for land tax?
Landowners who own investments properties, commercial properties, holiday homes and vacant land are required to pay land tax. A landowner’s annual land tax is based on the “site value” of all the taxable land owned. The “site value” of land is set by the Valuer-General and reflects the unimproved value of the land, meaning the […]
ReadmoreCorruption and Integrity Update – September 2025
In this edition of the Queensland Corruption and Integrity Update we review the latest updates from key Queensland integrity bodies including the CCC, the Office of the Independent Assessor, the Information Commissioner, the Integrity Commissioner, and the Ombudsman. We also highlighted updates on the operation of the Right to Information and Information Privacy Acts. CCC […]
ReadmoreOver and under, under and over: The future of set-off clauses in employment contracts
Earlier this month, Justice Perram of the Federal Court of Australia issued a lengthy judgment in the consolidated proceedings against supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths in relation to alleged breaches of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act), the Fair Work Regulations 2009 (Cth) (FW Regulations) and the General Retail Industry Award 2010 (Award) […]
ReadmoreWhen things go wrong: Expensive lessons arising from inappropriate behaviour in the workplace
Magar v Khan [2025] FCA 874 In this case, the employee (Ms Magar) alleged that during the course of her employment, her employer, the business owner and senior manager (Mr Khan) and other male members of a group of employees, sexually harassed her, harassed her on the ground of sex, and victimised her for complaining […]
ReadmoreI’m working from home today: Lessons from Louise v Metcash
Background The Fair Work Commission has made orders requiring an employer to grant an employee’s request for an exemption from its return to the office mandate. Catherine Louise was employed by Metcash Trading Limited (Metcash) on a full-time basis in an administrative capacity. She had worked remotely since commencing employment with Metcash during the COVID-19 […]
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