Further Regulations see the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme extended to 28 March 2021
Just in time for Christmas, the Victorian Government has extended the relevant period under the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme from 31 December 2021 until 28 March 2021, the date on which the enabling legislation is also scheduled to expire. The extension occurs via the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Amendment Regulations 2020 […]
ReadmorePasta manufacturer not ‘retail premises’ under the Retail Leases Act 2003
In the recent decision of A. G. & F. Italiano Pty Ltd v Rovigo Pty Ltd[1] the Tribunal considered whether a premises which sells pre-packaged Italian produce predominately via online and telephone sales is a ‘retail premises’ used wholly or predominantly for the sale of goods by retail as defined by the Retail Leases Act […]
ReadmoreA New Year, a new beginning, and a new foreign investment regime
On 5 June 2020, the Treasurer announced major reforms to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) (FATA). The reforms are intended to strengthen the foreign investment framework and ensure that the framework keeps pace with emerging national security risks and global developments. On 18 September 2020, the Federal Government released exposure draft legislation […]
ReadmoreACCC seeks ban on unfair trading practices
On 10 December 2020 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC) released its Perishable Agricultural Goods Inquiry Report (the Report). Purpose of the inquiry The ACCC’s inquiry into markets for the supply of perishable agricultural goods was conducted at the direction of the Commonwealth Treasurer, the Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP. The ACCC conducted a […]
ReadmoreInsolvency Reforms Pass Parliament
Changes to Australia’s insolvency framework proposed by the Corporations Amendment (Corporate Insolvency Reforms) Bill 2020 (Cth) have been passed by Parliament and will be available for eligible small businesses from 1 January 2021. Our recent article addressing the proposed Bill can be viewed here. The legislation introduces a new, simplified debt restructuring process accessible by […]
ReadmoreReforms to the Fair Work Act – What you need to know
The Federal Government yesterday introduced into parliament The Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2020 (Bill), which if passed will amend the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Fair Work Act) and related legislation. The Bill has been developed with input from a range of stakeholders, through a process of IR working […]
ReadmoreHigh Court to clarify casual employment – the next instalment in WorkPac v Rossato
On 26 November 2020, the High Court of Australia granted special leave to WorkPac Pty Ltd (WorkPac) to challenge the Full Federal Court decision in WorkPac v Rossato.[1] Since the Full Federal Court decision, employers have been left confused as to how to treat their casual workforce and how to ensure that they are acting […]
ReadmoreKraft v Bega – Key intellectual property and contractual takeaways for transactions
Since our coverage of the Kraft vs. Bega battle in our September 2019 edition of FMCG Express, the battle between food giants Bega and Kraft made it all the way to the High Court of Australia! The High Court recently refused special leave to appeal by Kraft, ultimately ruling in favour of Bega and upholding […]
ReadmoreTrade Promotions Update | Trans-Tasman Trade Promotions
Running a trade promotion in both Australia and New Zealand is certainly possible, but there are some key points to consider. Read the full article below, authored in partnership with Auckland based law firm Hudson Gavin Martin. Authored by: David Smith, Partner Jessica Bell, Paralegal Cassandra Cox, Paralegal Jade Lamb, Paralegal Jason Rudkin-Binks, Partner, […]
ReadmoreFalls Festival Class Action Claimants Lawyers win contingency fees
On 20 November 2020, her Honour Justice Rita Incerti of the Supreme Court of Victoria approved nearly $3.4m in costs in a $5.7m settlement in a class action against the Falls Music and Arts Festival in Victoria involving a stampede which injured revellers in December 2016. Her Honour approved the $3,369,478 costs claim of the […]
ReadmoreHigh Court adopts Exhaustion Doctrine for patent products, jettisoning the ‘implied licence doctrine’ in Australia
On 12 November 2020 the High Court delivered its much anticipated decision in Calidad Pty Ltd v Seiko Epson Corporation [2020] HCA (Calidad v Seiko). This decision is about patent rights and the extent to which they apply following the first sale of patented goods to a purchaser. When a patented product is first sold, […]
ReadmoreIf it walks like a duck… Telstra’s new payphones and what they mean for the streetscape
If it walks and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck… This is what the Full Court of the Federal Court decided in considering whether or not Telstra’s new payphone cabinets, which feature large digital billboards, constituted ‘low-impact facilities’ (which would be exempt from State and Territory planning laws).[1] Importance of decision The decision […]
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