Corruption and Integrity Update – October 2022
This month’s Corruption and Integrity Update considers the progress made towards the National-Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), including where money is being directed under the latest budget; the Royal Commission into Robodebt which has just commenced public hearings; recent Queensland Integrity Reforms; and a status update from the Queensland Auditor-General. National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Joint Select Committee […]
ReadmoreMajor reform of NSW construction legislation on the horizon
The New South Wales Government has recently introduced three new bills and one accompanying regulation which aims to improve the standards and accountability of participants in the construction industry within the state. The bills, which are currently in the consultation phase until 25 November of this year, are the: Building Bill 2022; Building Compliance and […]
ReadmoreThe Privacy landscape is heating up – but will tougher penalties and an expanded reach have the desired effect?
After a number of significant and high-profile cyber incidents in the last few weeks, it was almost inevitable the Government would take steps to fast-track its privacy reform agenda by seeking to push through headline-grabbing changes to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). Following the Attorney’s General (AG)’s foreshadowing on 22 October, 2022, the […]
ReadmorePaid family and domestic violence leave for all school staff
From 1 February 2023 all school employees will be entitled to paid family and domestic violence leave as changes to the National Employment Standard come into operation. The entitlement to ten days paid leave replaces and improves on the existing entitlement in the NES to five days unpaid leave. The changes are intended to help […]
ReadmoreHigher Education Research Commercialisation Intellectual Property Framework – a tool to increase collaboration and partnerships between industry and universities
Most Australians are aware of the strength and quality of our nation’s research sector, particularly in fields such as life sciences and medical research. Never has this been more evident that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Australians could, quite rightly, be proud of the role that Australians researchers played in the global efforts to develop […]
ReadmoreImplementing domestic and family violence leave
The Domestic and Family Violence leave amendment to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FWA), passed on 27 October 2022, amends the National Employment Standards (NES) to introduce 10 days of paid leave for victims of domestic or family violence for employees each year (Leave).[1] The Leave will come into effect from 1 February 2023.[2] […]
ReadmoreMisleading & deceptive conduct and cryptocurrencies – ASIC turns up the heat in uncertain territory
Introduction ASIC has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against BPS Financial Pty Ltd (BPS) for allegedly making false, misleading or deceptive representations and engaging in unlicensed conduct in relation to a non-cash payment facility involving a crypto-asset token called Qoin (Qoin). ASIC is seeking declarations, pecuniary penalties, injunctions and adverse publicity orders […]
ReadmoreDesign, distribution and cryptocurrency investment – a sharp position taken by ASIC
Introduction ASIC’s Product Intervention Power (PIP) under its Design & Distribution (DDO) regime is still a relatively new tool in their regulatory tool kit. It allows ASIC to stop, or impose conditions on, the issue and distribution of financial products. We have previously considered how ASIC may use the power in connection with overseas financial […]
ReadmoreQueensland Occupational and Professional Disciplinary Update
The end of September saw the tabling of a series of Annual Reports to the Queensland Parliament. Within these reports were details from the various regulators operating in the occupational and professional disciplinary space that plays out across the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), the Magistrates Court of Queensland and related jurisdictions. We have […]
ReadmoreDismissing a local government employee? Don’t breach section 283
Local governments may consider that they have a robust disciplinary process that delivers procedural fairness through show-cause processes and investigations. While such actions may be sufficient under other employment law frameworks, local governments have unique additional obligations under the Local Government Regulation 2012 (Qld) (Regulation) when determining if disciplinary action is reasonable under the Local […]
Readmore‘Greenwashing erodes consumer trust’ – the ACCC tells business to clean up its act on misleading environmental claims
The ACCC has delivered a clear and strong message to businesses in a speech by its Deputy Clair, Delia Rickard, to The Sydney Morning Herald Sustainability Summit on 20 September 2022 – “Environmental claims and sustainability are a current priority for the ACCC”. The ACCC “won’t hesitate to take enforcement action where we see that […]
ReadmoreWhat goes up, must come down – Declining property values, rising interest rates, mortgage distress and assisting through financial difficulty
Partner Sonia Apikian and Senior Associate Susan Verginis discuss trends on Australian housing values, interest rates and their impact upon mortgage distress, with a focus on how lenders can assist their customers through financial difficulty. Click below to read the full article. If you found this insight article useful and you would like to subscribe […]
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