This edition of the National Integrity Spotlight considers a recent operation into corruption undertaken by the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity, the appointment of a new Privacy Commissioner specifically focusing on data breaches, the Senate Inquiry into existing Freedom of Information laws, the enlivenment of referendum disclosure obligations, a new consultation on AML/CTF laws, […]
ReadmoreThe third edition of the National Integrity Spotlight considers updates to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, an overview of recent Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity operations, details from the OECD convention on Combatting Bribery Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, developments from the Senate Inquiry into ASIC Investigation and Enforcement, and confirmation of […]
ReadmoreThe February edition of the National Integrity Spotlight considers updates to the Corruption Perceptions Index, the Privacy Act Review Report prepared by the Attorney-General’s Department, the ACNC National Fundraising Principles, the recent Senate Estimates, reform of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Perth Mint saga. Corruption Perceptions Index Transparency International Australia (TIA) recently released its […]
ReadmoreThe inaugural National Integrity Spotlight highlights a number of key developments in the Federal integrity landscape in what is going to be a landmark year in this space. In this edition, we consider how organisations are preparing for the impending commencement of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) with reference to the Commonwealth Integrity Maturity Framework; […]
ReadmoreThe Commonwealth Government has introduced the Director Identification Number (DIN) regime through reforms to Part 9.1A of the Corporations Act. From 1 November 2021, DINs became mandatory for all company directors. DINs are expected to assist regulators with their regulatory functions, such as combatting illegal phoenixing activities. DINs of course mean more admin for company […]
ReadmoreIn anticipation of the upcoming breach reporting obligations commencing on 1 October 2021, ASIC has released Regulatory Guide 78 (New RG 78) on Breach Reporting by Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensees and credit (AC) licensees. These new expanded reporting obligations seek to address ASIC’s long-standing concerns regarding the timeliness and quality of breach reporting across […]
ReadmoreLast week, the Federal Court of Australia embarked on what is predicted to be a landmark decision, in the matter of AGL v Greenpeace Australia Pacific (Greenpeace). The case involves allegations by AGL that Greenpeace infringed its trademark rights and copyright when it featured AGL’s logo in a recent ad campaign, designed to pressure the […]
ReadmoreRegulatory guidance usually has little legal status, but sometimes legislation mandates it. However, a recent UK Supreme Court decision [1] on ethical investments demonstrates that, when laws and policies are confused and agencies stray outside their lanes, even legislatively supported guidance has limits. The Court ruled that local government pension schemes can divest from or boycott […]
ReadmoreAfter close to four months of battling bushfires in New South Wales and Victoria and confronting devastating loss of life, property, livelihood and wildlife, as well as two months of speculation, a Royal Commission arising from the ‘Black Summer’ bushfires has been announced. The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements will, however, inquire more […]
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