Crypto judgment overturned: Block Earner succeeds in cross-appeal against ASIC
*Article updated as of 22 May 2025 The Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia handed down its much-awaited decision on 22 April 2025, overturning the judgment of Justice Jackman in the Block Earner case.[1] The decision should give digital asset providers and market participants further clarity around the application of the complex financial services regime […]
ReadmoreConsumer Express | May 2025 Edition
In the May 2025 edition of Consumer Express, we focus on the key developments impacting our consumer clients, including the positive duty to prevent unlawful sexual discrimination, updates on wage theft laws, and the complexities surrounding retail lease rent reviews. We also take a closer look at the ACCC’s 2025-2026 enforcement priorities and the potential […]
ReadmoreCorruption and Integrity Update April 2025
In this edition of the Queensland Corruption and Integrity Update we consider various updates related to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) and its governing legislation, as well as updates from the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC). Crime and Corruption Commission updates CCC’s Quarterly Report Number 9 On 7 April 2025, the CCC released […]
ReadmoreOwners Corporation update: Recent VCAT decision highlights the need for further legislative change
Owners Corporation PS738539K v Ka-Po was heard by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT or the Tribunal) where the applicant, Owners Corporation PS738539K (the OC), sought orders pursuant to section 34D of the Subdivision Act 1988 (Vic) (the Act) to alter title boundaries in Plan of Subdivision PS738539K (Ka-Po case). The outcome of the […]
ReadmoreHeading to the polls: Workplace relations policies in the 2025 Federal Election
Australians will be heading to the polls on Saturday, 3 May 2025. As campaigning gains momentum, we are seeing more details from the major parties on workplace and industrial relations reforms should they take power. At this stage, neither Labor nor the Coalition have proposed significant industrial relations reform agendas, which is not entirely surprising […]
ReadmoreLearnings from recent ‘same job, same pay’ cases decided by the Fair Work Commission
In this article, we discuss two recent cases where the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has made or considered making ‘regulated labour hire arrangement orders’ (RLHA Orders), and the key takeaways for employers. Overview of ‘same job, same pay’ orders The ‘same job, same pay’ provisions were introduced in late 2023 under the Fair Work Legislation […]
ReadmoreDeductions on termination of employment – Are they lawful?
In the recent decision of Bateup v Mornington Shire Council [2025] QIRC 61, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (Commission) ordered an employer to pay its employee the full amount of unpaid wages and annual leave entitlements that the employer had unlawfully deducted from the employee’s final pay. What happened in this case? Mr Bateup commenced […]
ReadmoreACCC v Hutchinson: understanding an “understanding”
Gadens acted for Hutchinson Builders (Hutchinson) in a recent High Court case,[1] in which the ACCC unsuccessfully sought to overturn a finding made by the Full Court[2] that an “understanding” for the purposes of s 45E(3) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (CCA) requires communication of assent that precedes and is distinct from […]
ReadmoreKey Takeaways: VPELA Planning Minster’s Address
Earlier this week, the Gadens Planning & Environment Team attended VPELA’s annual Planning Minister’s Address in Melbourne. Before a packed house of planning industry professionals, the Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP provided an overview of the suite of planning reforms the Department is currently working through in order to deliver more housing to Victorian, as well a […]
ReadmoreNational Integrity Spotlight – April 2025
In the first quarterly edition of the National Integrity Spotlight for 2025, we consider the latest update to the Corruptions Perception Index, legislative updates on whistleblowing and electoral reform,, and the findings of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the NACC. We also consider updates from the NACC and state-based integrity organisations, as well as a […]
ReadmoreNew guidance for employers on sexual and gender-based harassment in the workplace
On 5 March 2025, the Federal Government approved the Work Health and Safety (Sexual and Gender-based Harassment) Code of Practice 2025 (Code). The Code provides guidance to persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) on how to protect workers against workplace sexual and gender-based harassment. The Code implements recommendation 35 of the Australian Human Rights […]
ReadmoreCorruption and Integrity Update March 2025
In this edition of the Queensland Corruption and Integrity Update we consider updates arising from the operations and oversight of the Office of the Information Commissioner and the Independent Assessor, as well as taking a deep dive into the proposed legislative amendments relating to the reporting of corruption by the Crime and Corruption Commission. Office […]
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