Good news for consumers? New Digital Platform laws to combat fake reviews, scams and unfair practices proposed
Last Friday the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) released its 5th report of the Digital Platform Services Inquiry. The much anticipated report deals with the competition and consumer issues raised in the Digital Platform Services Inquiry, the Digital Advertising Services Inquiry (2020-2021) and the Digital Platform Inquiry (2017-2019). Digital platforms are online spaces for […]
ReadmoreIncreased competition and consumer law penalties now take effect
The maximum penalties for contraventions of competition law prohibitions in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) and offence and civil penalty provisions in the Australian Consumer Law have now markedly increased following the Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Act 2022 (Cth) having received the Royal Assent. Of particular note, the maximum penalty for […]
ReadmoreDate set for ‘unfair contract terms’ to be rendered unlawful: Time to act
Businesses now have less than 12 months to cease using unfair contract terms in their standard form consumer contracts and small business contracts, now that the Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Act 2022 has received the Royal Assent. Whereas unfair contract terms can presently be rendered void and unenforceable, the use of unfair contract terms […]
ReadmoreUnfair contract terms – Commonwealth government driving major reforms
On 28 September 2022 the Commonwealth government introduced to Parliament a bill that will, if passed, make major changes to the unfair contract terms regime in Australia. The bill is called the Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Bill 2022. The unfair contract terms provisions in the Bill are virtually identical to the provisions […]
ReadmoreFMCG 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 […]
ReadmoreTrade 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
ReadmoreUK Data Reform Bill – What does ‘UK GDPR’ mean for Australian businesses?
The UK Government’s response to the post-Brexit ‘UK GDPR’ reforms was issued on Friday last as part of London Tech Week. It was met with mixed reaction, locally and globally. But what does the reform of the UK’s data protection laws mean for global and Australian organisations doing business in the UK? How great of […]
ReadmoreFMCG 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 […]
ReadmoreNew 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 […]
ReadmoreFMCG Express | September 2021 Edition
The first half of the year brought signs that the business malaise post-COVID-19 was beginning to lift, however, we are seeing ongoing disruption facing the FMCG sector. We are finally seeing some green shoots with the end of lockdown on the horizon. In this edition, the team explores the evolution of the digital consumer experience; […]
ReadmoreNew ICT Purchasing Framework for NSW Government agencies
The NSW Procurement Board recently updated the ICT Purchasing Framework documentation for the procurement of ICT goods and services. Procurement Board Direction PBD-2021-02 (Direction) came into effect on 1 July 2021 and will become mandatory for all NSW Government agencies from 1 September 2021. The Direction requires a NSW Government agency to use the new […]
ReadmoreUnfair contract terms – big changes mean big risk for businesses
Many businesses will be familiar with the existing ‘unfair contract terms’ regime in the Australian Consumer Law (the ACL). Draft legislation has been circulated which will implement big changes, including potential penalties of $10 million or more. Businesses will likely need to review many of their contract terms, as the new regime will be much […]
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