Electronic execution and modernised meetings under the Corporations Act – here to stay (finally)
With little fanfare, the highly anticipated Corporations Amendment (Meetings and Documents) Bill 2021 (Bill) was passed by both Houses of Parliament in the final sessions of Parliament before the coming Federal Election. The Bill amends the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) and establishes a permanent mechanism to allow companies and registered schemes to hold hybrid (in person […]
ReadmoreHow to infringe the Privacy rights of millions of Australians with a few clicks… a cautionary tale by Big Brother and his friends
On 14 October 2021, the Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner determined that by using its facial recognition platform to crawl the web to scrape biometric information from various sources on the internet and disclose it through its software, Clearview AI, had breached the privacy rights of millions of Australians.[1] Clearview AI has been described […]
ReadmoreFMCG 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; […]
ReadmoreElectronic signatures are back for the time being
The Federal Government has now passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Act 2021 (Amending Act) which amends the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) to allow for technologically-assisted meetings and the long-awaited electronic execution of company documents. These changes became effective on 14 August 2021. As noted in our previous article, the […]
ReadmoreMove to permanent reforms to the Corporations Act – electronic signatures, virtual meetings
The Federal Government has released the exposure draft of legislation (Exposure Draft) amending the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) to allow for technologically-assisted meetings and the long-awaited electronic execution of company documents. As noted in our previous article, the emergency reforms under Corporations (Coronavirus Economic Response) Determination (No. 3) 2020 expired on 21 March […]
ReadmoreFMCG Express | May 2021 Edition
2021 certainly started with a bang; we are seeing a significant boost in appetite for advice right across our FMCG client base, including a lot of M&A activity, and we are excited to see how the year ahead unfolds. In the May 2021 edition of FMCG Express, editor Hazel McDwyer and the Gadens team provide […]
ReadmoreSuccessfully managing cyber security risks
In today’s world cyber security has never been more critical. Keeping your data secure has become increasingly complex, with hackers doing their best to stay one step ahead. Now more than ever before, it is important that you address cyber security risks as a key priority for your organisation. For Privacy Awareness Week 2021, our […]
ReadmoreCOVID-19 | No extension to temporary reforms to permit electronic signing of company documents
In a blow for advocates of efficiency (both technological and practical), the temporary reforms under Corporations (Coronavirus Economic Response) Determination (No. 3) 2020 (Determination), which had permitted the conduct of virtual meetings, electronic execution of documents and split execution of documents under section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Act) expired on 21 March 2021. Unless, and until, a replacement relief […]
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 […]
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 […]
ReadmoreFMCG Express | October Edition
2020 continues to be an interesting year with COVID-19 still impacting our lives and businesses, although we are cautiously optimistic that we may be turning a corner here in Australia. In this edition of FMCG Express, we bring you some useful COVID-19 reading as we grapple with the ongoing effects of the pandemic and look […]
ReadmoreSenate Select Committee on Fintech and Regulatory Tech publishes interim report
The need for permanent corporate law reforms for virtual company meetings and electronic communications and signatures by companies – Senate Select Committee inquiry on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology interim report and recommendations. In September 2020, the Senate Select Committee inquiry on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology (Committee) released its interim report. The preliminary recommendations […]
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