Gadens Regulatory Recap
This edition of the Gadens Regulatory Recap considers a series of developments from ASIC, APRA, and AUSTRAC, as well as reviewing the significant developments arising from the release by Treasury of the Strategic Plan for Australia’s Payments System. ASIC ePayments Code: The updated ePayments Code released in June 2022 (Code) required all subscribers to be […]
ReadmoreGadens Regulatory Recap
This edition of the Gadens Regulatory Recap considers updates from ASIC, APRA, OAIC, RBA, AFCA, and key legislative updates. We also take a look at the proposed changes to Buy Now Pay Later services and the debanking of Binance in the unregulated crypto space. ASIC Enforcement: ASIC’s public focus over the past fortnight has been […]
ReadmoreBuy Now Pay Later: ‘Walks like a duck’ regulation announced
On 22 May 2023, the Treasury announced that the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) industry will be regulated under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Credit Act). The move was announced by the financial services minister and assistant treasurer, Stephen Jones MP, at the Responsible Lending & Borrowing Summit. The announcement confirms that the […]
ReadmoreSenate to shine spotlight on concerning greenwashing behaviour
On 29 March 2023, the Senate announced a landmark inquiry into the practice of greenwashing in Australia, with its final report due for publication by 5 December 2023. This development echoes growing concerns both in Australia and globally regarding greenwashing by businesses across a range of sectors, including the making of vague, false or misleading […]
ReadmoreGadens Regulatory Recap
This edition of the Gadens Regulatory Recap considers updates from ASIC, APRA, OAIC, ABA and legislative updates, with a focus on key outcomes arising from the Federal Budget. ASIC Design and Distribution Obligations: ASIC released Report 762 Design and distribution obligations: Investment products which found a significant number of product issuers had produced deficient target […]
ReadmoreACCC internet sweep uncovers concerning environmental and sustainability claims
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has completed its anticipated internet sweep following clear messaging last year that the regulator would crackdown on misleading environmental claims. More than half of the businesses that were subject to the ACCC’s internet sweep in October 2022 were considered to have made concerning misleading claims about their environmental […]
ReadmoreQuality of Advice Review – Final Report
On 8 February 2023, the Quality of Advice Review final report was published by the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, the Hon Stephen Jones MP, outlining Michelle Levy’s findings. The Quality of Advice Review was initiated due to the complexity of the regulatory framework of financial advice, making it difficult to understand and […]
ReadmoreASIC’s Enforcement Focus – Greenwashing, Predatory Lending & Misleading Insurance Pricing Promises
In a recent media release on 15 February 2023, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has warned businesses that it will actively target greenwashing, predatory lending and misleading insurance pricing promises in the coming year. The warning follows ASIC’s release of its ‘Enforcement Priorities’ report.[1] ASIC intends to establish these yearly priorities as a […]
ReadmoreASIC commences its first greenwashing court proceeding
On 28 February 2023, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) released an announcement stating that it has launched its first proceeding in the Federal Court against Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Ltd (Mercer) for allegedly ‘making misleading statements regarding the sustainable nature of some of its superannuation investment options’. Greenwashing has become a growing concern, as […]
ReadmoreRegulatory action for greenwashing is upon us
Last week, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) commenced civil penalty proceedings for alleged greenwashing against Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited (Mercer). This is in addition to ASIC having issued penalty notices to at least four companies for alleged greenwashing, since October 2022. Last year, ASIC identified investigating greenwashing and taking enforcement action where greenwashing […]
ReadmorePooling order for the win!
On 2 March 2023 the Supreme Court of Victoria published its reasons in the matter of Atlas Gaming Holdings Pty Ltd [2023] VSC 91 (the Atlas case) in which Gadens acted on behalf of the Liquidator of four companies seeking a pooling order pursuant to section 579E of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Act). […]
ReadmorePenalties for consumer law breaches on the rise: Federal Court finds Employsure penalty ‘manifestly inadequate’
The recent Employsure decision makes it very clear that penalties for breaches of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), particularly where those breaches occur online, cannot be considered a ‘cost of doing business’ by companies assessing risks around particular conduct or the adequacy of their compliance program. The Full Federal Court, on an appeal brought by […]
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