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COVID-19 | Mandatory vaccination for Victorian authorised workers

The Acting Chief Health Officer has issued long awaited directions making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for authorised workers in Victoria (the Directions). Who do the Directions apply to? The Directions apply to the ’employers’ of ‘workers’ in Victoria who are authorised to leave home for work under the Authorised Worker list. Specifically, it applies to workers […]

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COVID-19 | Mandatory vaccination in the healthcare sector in Victoria

The Acting Chief Health Officer has issued updated directions making mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations a requirement for staff to work in healthcare facilities in Victoria (the Directions). Who do the Directions apply to? The Directions apply to ‘healthcare operators’, being those who own, control or operate a healthcare facility, whether public, private or denominational. A ‘healthcare […]

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COVID-19 | Mandatory vaccination in the education sector in Victoria

Updated as at 8 October 2021 Directions have been made by the Acting Chief Health Officer making mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations a requirement for staff to work in schools (including school boarding premises), childcare and early childhood services in Victoria. Who do the Directions apply to? The Directions apply to ‘education operators’, being those who own, […]

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Gazing into the crystal ball – when assessing whether a company is insolvent, how far into the future should the Court look?

In Anchorage Capital Master Offshore Ltd v Sparkes (No 3); Bank of Communications Co Ltd v Sparkes (No 2),[1] the NSW Supreme Court handed down judgment in two proceedings (which were heard together) arising from the failure of Arrium and its broader corporate group.[2] Of particular interest to insolvency practitioners, the Court was asked to […]

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When is financial product advice ‘personal’ and not ‘general’ under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)?

In Westpac Securities Administration Ltd v Australian Securities Investments Commission,[1] the High Court of Australia considered whether the financial product advice given by Westpac to its existing members was ‘personal advice’ within the meaning of section 766B(3)(b) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Act). Specifically, was the advice given or directed to members in […]

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Liquidators beware: pitfalls in admitting proofs of debt

The Federal Court’s decision in Tuscan Capital Partners Pty Ltd v Trading Australia Pty Ltd (in liq)[1] concerns an interlocutory application made by a creditor to review the liquidator’s decision to admit a proof of debt. Background The proof of debt was lodged by Fishbank Development Corporation Pty Ltd (FDC) in the amount of $56,289.43, […]

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Setting aside a Statutory Demand – a low threshold?

In Project 88 TPF Pty Ltd v Open Projects Group Pty Ltd[1] Project 88 Pty Ltd (Project 88) fell behind on payments to Open Projects Group (OPG) under a commercial building contract for the fit out of a nightclub, the Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub on the Gold Coast. OPG effectively sought to enforce a compromise agreement […]

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FMCG 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; […]

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COVID-19 | Public health orders and mandatory vaccinations in the workplace

In a widely reported decision handed down earlier this week, Jennifer Kimber v Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care [2021] FWCFB 6015, a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission has taken the opportunity to provide its views on the mandating of flu and COVID-19 vaccinations under public health orders and what requirements must be met […]

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Reducing IDR timeframes and improving internal reporting for the financial services sector

ASIC’s new Regulatory Guide 271 comes into effect on 5 October, covering  new expanded IDR requirements that seek to address ASIC’s long-standing concerns regarding deficiencies and delays in the banks’ processes including in the identification, investigation and resolution of potential systemic issues raised by complaints. In this article, Sonia Apikian and Trish Kastanias explore the […]

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Fair Work Commission gains powers to stop sexual harassment in the workplace

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has been given power to make stop orders in relation to sexual harassment in the workplace in line with recommendations from the Respect@Work Report (for a summary of those recommendations, see here). The new powers apply in relation to applications made after 10 November 2021, after a request from the […]

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Owners Corporation Update: Obtaining an order for unanimous consent just got harder

The Owners Corporations and Other Acts Amendment Act 2021 (Vic) (the Amending Act) which is due to commence on 1 December 2021 will significantly alter the circumstances in which a member of an owners corporation, or an owners corporation itself, have standing to apply to VCAT for orders under sections 32 or 33 of the […]

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