Respect@Work and future changes to Australia’s sexual harassment laws
The Federal government has today announced that all 55 recommendations contained in the landmark report, Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces, are either agreed wholly, in part, or in principle, or are noted where they are directed to governments or organisations other than the Federal government. National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in […]
ReadmoreWhere to from here? A realistic and practical balancing act for the small business exemption
Protecting the privacy rights of individuals and avoiding the burden of unnecessary compliance costs on small business can be a delicate balancing act. Various exemptions are currently under consideration under the review of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) by the Attorney-General’s Department (Privacy Act Review). In this article, we explore the small business exemption […]
ReadmoreAmendment VC194: Fast track of state and local infrastructure projects
Amendment VC194 (Amendment) was gazetted by the Minister for Planning earlier this week. The Amendment inserts two new particular provisions at clauses 52.30 (State projects) and 52.31 (Local government projects) into the VIC Planning Provisions and all local planning schemes. Fast track of state and local infrastructure projects The new particular provisions provide planning permit […]
ReadmoreWhen software delivers a therapeutic benefit: regulation of digital therapeutics
Digital therapeutics are defined as evidence-based therapeutic interventions that are driven by software programs to prevent, manage or treat a medical disorder or disease. As medical technological innovation continues at pace, more software applications and devices are under development to inform, drive or replace clinical decisions or directly provide therapy to a patient. The Therapeutic […]
ReadmoreThe Federal Court demonstrates the flexibility and breadth of orders under section 90-15 of the Insolvency Practice Schedule in a voluntary administration
In Krejci, in the matter of Union Standard International Group Pty Ltd,[1] the Federal Court provides an example of the ways in which section 90-15 of the Insolvency Practice Schedule[2] (IPS) can be used to craft orders that balance the interests of the company, creditors and third parties. Background The applicants were the voluntary administrators […]
ReadmoreRe Cullen Group: When not contesting an application and agreeing to abide an order of the court can be… costly
In Re Cullen Group,[1] the Supreme Court of Queensland considered the determination of a preliminary question regarding the insolvency of Cullen Group Australia Pty Ltd (Cullen Group), which was placed into liquidation approximately four years prior to the hearing date. The issue of insolvency was relatively uncontroversial and, as noted by Justice Martin, “was not […]
ReadmoreQueensland Court of Appeal rejects ‘IOU’ as payment for debt
In Bayly v Westpac Banking Corporation[1], the Queensland Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against a summary judgment granted in favour of Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac). Whilst there were broadly, two grounds of appeal, the appellant was self-represented and raised numerous issues and alleged errors of law and fact made by the primary Judge. The […]
ReadmorePayment Times Reporting Scheme: understanding new mandatory reporting obligations for big business
The Australian Government has recently introduced the Payment Times Reporting Scheme under the Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 (Cth) (Scheme). Under the Scheme, which came into effect on 1 January 2021, large businesses and certain government enterprises are required to report certain information relating to the payment terms and practices that apply to their engagement […]
ReadmoreASIC provides ‘no action’ relief for conducting virtual meetings and delayed AGMs
After the Federal Government’s proposed legislation to extend the temporary relief for corporations to conduct virtual meetings stalled in the Parliament, we speculated in our recent update as to whether ASIC would issue a ‘no action’ position, electing not to take regulatory action against companies conducting virtual meetings despite requirements to do so in the […]
ReadmoreInternational Privacy Checklist
Are you on top of your international privacy compliance requirements? It is crucial that your business is meeting its obligations. Gadens privacy experts Dudley Kneller (Partner) and Raisa Blanco (Senior Associate) have developed this complimentary checklist with LexisNexis Regulatory Compliance. The checklist is designed to help you identify your international privacy obligations and includes a […]
ReadmoreCOVID-19 | Reminder to Landlords: 2020 land tax relief applications close soon
This article is issued as a timely reminder to Landlords who intend to seek COVID-19 land tax relief for the 2020 land tax year. Applications for relief in New South Wales and Victoria must be lodged prior to 31 March 2021. In this update, we summarise the application process, eligibility criteria and evidentiary requirements for […]
ReadmoreThe expansion of statutory unconscionable conduct risk in commercial transactions
Where a statute proscribes unconscionable conduct in business, a company can be liable whether or not the person to whom the allegedly unconscionable conduct is directed is vulnerable or at a special disadvantage. In ACCC v Quantum Housing Group Pty Ltd, handed down on 19 March 2021, the Full Federal Court placed the focus in […]
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