In the recent decision of Flexy Services Pty Ltd v Mr Brian Newman [2024] FWC 2840, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) made a costs order against a paid agent who represented an employee in making a general protections claim against her employer. Background Ms. Georgina McBride was engaged as a casual employee by Flexy Services Pty […]
ReadmoreThe Victorian Government recently issued a response confirming its support for all 28 of the recommended reforms to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic) (SOP Act) following a parliamentary inquiry in 2023. Security of Payment legislation regulates payment processes and payment disputes within the construction industry. It aims to ensure […]
ReadmoreIn this month’s edition of the National Integrity Spotlight, we consider the most recent updates from the NACC, as well as updates from the various state integrity bodies. NACC update Referral and assessment update The NACC continues to provide regular updates on the number of referrals received, the assessment process, and investigations underway. Key data […]
ReadmoreLast year the Victorian State Government announced ambitious housing targets, committing to delivering 800,000 dwellings in greater Melbourne over the next 10 years, plus 425,600 new homes for regional Victoria by 2051. Under increasing pressure to meet these targets, the Government has had a bumper week of housing-related announcements. The Gadens Real Estate & Construction […]
ReadmoreIn the biggest ever reform of Australia’s merger control laws (see our earlier Insights here and here), the Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Bill 2024 (Bill) was introduced in the House of Representatives on 10 October and will now work its way through the Parliamentary process with an expectation of the Bill becoming law by […]
ReadmoreIn late 2022, the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) received significant amendments to enterprise bargaining, which came into effect on 6 June 2023. Through the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth), amendments to the FW Act were made to increase access to single interest employer authorisations (SIE Authorisations) and […]
ReadmoreIn our tenth edition of Consumer Express we consider the hot topics facing our consumer clients, including the right to disconnect and what it really means, the first tranche of the new privacy reforms and how to prepare for what’s coming, helpful tips on structuring trade promotions, as well as AI washing. Our regulators have […]
ReadmoreThe Federal Court of Australia recently handed down a landmark judgment against a third party adviser for devising an asset-stripping scheme and breaching the creditor-defeating disposition provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). A creditor-defeating disposition is a disposal of company property that prevents, hinders or significantly delays that property from becoming available for the […]
ReadmoreIn the recent decision of Pascua v Doessel Group Pty Ltd [2024] FWC 2669, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) considered whether a Philippines-based legal assistant who performed work for a law firm in Queensland was an employee or an independent contractor. Background The applicant was engaged under a contract dated 21 July 2022 which was […]
ReadmoreHot off the heels of its first tranche of reforms to the Privacy Act, the Federal Government has released a raft of cyber security legislation to ‘achieve Australia’s vision of being a world leader in cyber security by 2030’,[1] including Australia’s first dedicated ‘Cyber Security Act.’ Minister for Cyber Security Tony Burke introduced the: Cyber […]
ReadmoreIn this edition of the Queensland Corruption and Integrity Update we consider various updates related to each of the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), Councillor Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA), Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC), as well as considering integrity issues ahead of the upcoming Queensland State election. CCC Annual […]
ReadmoreThe Federal Court of Australia in New South Wales has hit medical devices giant Medtronic with a $22 million penalty and a $1 million costs order in its decision of Secretary, Department of Health v Medtronic Australasia Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 1096, which was handed down last week. Pursuant to its originating application dated 31 […]
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