[widget id="surstudio-translator-revolution-3"]

Buy Now Pay Later: Industry awaiting Issues Paper with bated breath

For better or worse, the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) industry has continued to make headlines since our last report. The sector’s meteoric rise has been tempered in recent months by a combination of market saturation, broader macroeconomic factors, and, most recently, a new political climate. The new Labor Government has made clear its intentions […]

Readmore

FMCG Express | September 2022 Edition

In the latest edition of FMCG Express, Partner Breanna Davies and the Gadens team bring you the latest developments in the consumer, retail and hospitality sectors in Australia. In this issue, our team delves into the issues surrounding positive obligations to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace; risks and solutions when dealing with commercial contracts […]

Readmore

Significant increases to Competition and Consumer Law penalties proposed

Last Friday afternoon, Treasury released exposure draft legislation proposing significant increases to the maximum penalties that apply to various contraventions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) and the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) by companies and individuals. Interested parties will have to be quick with any comments on the proposed changes, because public consultation […]

Readmore

Did Google get off lightly? ACCC v Google and ACL penalty regime changes

The Federal Court has handed down its penalty decision in Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Google LLC (No 4) [2022] FCA 942 (ACCC v Google)[1], confirming its landmark findings against the tech giant from late last year[2]. Google LLC (Google US), the parent company of Google Australia Pty Ltd (Google Australia), was ordered to […]

Readmore

Embedded networks live on as Victorian reform for residential embedded networks slowly takes shape

New embedded networks in residential apartment buildings will be banned from January 2023 unless 100% of electricity is sourced from renewable energy, with at least 5% being sourced from on-site generation. Existing embedded networks in residential sites, including apartment buildings, retirement villages, social housing and residential/caravan parks, will transition to a new regulatory regime, moving through […]

Readmore

Trade Promotions update | Games of Chance: July 2022 Permit Fees

The regulators have increased their Trade Promotion permit application fees, effective 1 July. Click below to read the full update. If you found this insight article useful and you would like to subscribe to Gadens’ updates, click here. Authored by: David Smith, Partner Sonja Muzoska, Paralegal Jade Lamb, Paralegal Dani Fletcher, Paralegal

Readmore

How can insurance providers stay ahead of the implementation of CDR in 2022?

Consumer Data Right presents new legal risks and challenges for insurers. Consumer Data Right (CDR) gives a consumer more control over their information, enabling them to access and share their data with accredited third parties to obtain better deals on everyday products and services. The Australian Government sees the CDR as central to driving competition […]

Readmore

Pushing ‘START’ on button battery safety standards – Combating a danger lurking in the household

The new button/coin battery safety standards become mandatory on 22 June 2022. So as a manufacturer, importer, wholesaler or retailer of products that contain button batteries, what do you need to know? Purpose Button batteries are used in a broad range of products around our homes. These include watches, handheld computers and remote controls, key […]

Readmore

Disclosure obligations for financial service providers in NSW: One-year on from reforms to the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW)

It has been over a year since reforms were introduced under the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW) (the Act) requiring suppliers (including of financial services) to take reasonable steps to disclose to their customers prejudicial contract terms and for intermediaries to disclose the arrangement under which they are acting, including referral commissions. The disclosure requirements […]

Readmore

Unconscionable conduct in asset based lending: Stubbings v Jams 2 Pty Ltd [2022] HCA 6

Recently, the High Court of Australia found unconscionable conduct on the part of a lender on an asset based loan and held that the lender could not rely on the certificates of independent legal and financial advice procured from the borrower to immunise the transaction against unconscionable conduct laws. The loan was made to a […]

Readmore

FMCG Express | March 2022 Edition

Welcome to the fifth edition of FMCG Express. Overseen by our new Editor, Partner Breanna Davies, Gadens’ team of contributors provide a snapshot of what’s in store for 2022. We are catching up on issues facing our clients and review potential legal developments in the FMCG space: from analysis of proposed changes to the unfair […]

Readmore

New trade promotions regulation in South Australia

South Australia is introducing a new regulation governing trade promotions. Here’s how it will affect you. The new Regulation The Lotteries Regulation 2021 (SA) (Regulation) will take effect on 10 December 2021. The South Australian government consulted with stakeholders on a draft of the Regulation (see our recent update) but minimal changes have been made in […]

Readmore