Insights

Russian sanctions: supervening illegality and impact on contracts with Russian interests

In the first case of its kind in Australia, the Federal Court of Australia held that Rio Tinto-backed Queensland Alumina Ltd was correct in interpreting and applying the sanctions imposed by the...

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Green maze
Do your international arrangements with intangible assets pass the test?

The current scrutiny of the Australian tax outcomes relating to the intangible assets of international groups continues. On 17 May 2023, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) issued Practical...

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More red lights, more deals being withdrawn, more time – find out more in our annual Merger Report

We are pleased to share with you the 7th edition of our report on recent trends in complex informal merger clearance decisions made by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC).

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Building structures crossing in front of each other in abstract positions
Guardian: the Full Federal Court confirms Part IVA applies on round two of trust distributions

The Commissioner of Taxation (Commissioner) has been actively pursuing the application of the anti-avoidance provisions to trust structures and trust distributions. In the most recent decision, the...

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What the latest FIRB reforms mean for Australia’s infrastructure investment

The Federal Treasurer has announced reforms to Australia’s foreign investment framework which will come into effect on 1 January 2021.

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Foreign investment and Australia’s infrastructure sector

Participants in Australia’s infrastructure sector are, as a general rule, already familiar with the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) and Australia’s foreign investment regime.

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Review 2019

With significant regulatory change coming into effect the spotlight is staying firmly on culture, ethics and regulatory compliance. An organisation’s social licence to operate remains a priority...

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Investing in Australian Real Estate

This brochure provides global investors a practical and quick overview about real estate investments in Australia, which includes answers to some of their commonly asked questions.

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Practical Law Guide: Investing in Australia

A Q&A guide to investing in Australia.

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Investing in Australian Real Estate

This brochure provides global investors a practical and quick overview about real estate investments in Australia, which includes answers to some of their commonly asked questions.

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FIRB releases new guidance notes for foreign purchasers

On 25 September, Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board issued 2 guidance notes, designed to clarify Australia’s foreign investment policy in 2 key areas - acquisition of agricultural land and...

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Australia's FIRB regime: the impact on transactions in energy & resources sectors

Any potential foreign investor must consider the implications of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) regime, as it may relate to any proposed transaction involving companies in the mining...

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Data control conditions for foreign investment approvals in Australia

Recent decisions by the Treasurer of Australia indicate a growing trend towards the imposition of data control conditions in connection with foreign investment approvals. Investors should allow for...

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Review of the regulatory and tax landscape for foreign investors in December 2017

Updated article: originally published as 'review of the regulatory and tax landscape for foreign investors.'

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Disclosure Relief for Foreign Companies when Raising Capital in Australia

Generally, foreign companies offering securities in Australia need to comply with the prospectus provisions in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Act). However, in addition to the normal...

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The Critical Infrastructure Centre: what foreign investors need to know

In 2016, the Australian Federal Government, following the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval process, rejected the bids for proposed partial sale of the New South Wales state owned...

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Update on Australia’s key trade arrangements – TPP and ChAFTA

With shifts in international politics and sentiment, it is timely to revisit the current status of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA...

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New FIRB Business Exemption Certificates

There are a number of associated issues and uncertainties regarding a new exemption certificate for business acquisitions by foreign investors (Business EC).

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Recent changes to Australia’s foreign investment regime

As announced in the 2017/18 Federal Budget, a number of changes to Australia’s foreign investment regime came into force on 1 July 2017.

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Acumen Federal Budget Special Edition 2017

This special edition of Acumen discusses the key taxation reforms for business announced on the evening of 9 May 2017 by Treasurer Scott Morrison in the 2017 Australian Federal Budget.

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Review of the current regulatory and tax landscape for foreign investors

A raft of reforms to Australia’s foreign investment framework over the last 12 months includes legislation intended to bolster the integrity of the foreign investment framework.

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Australia’s foreign investment laws: a guide for foreign investors and their counsel

When a transaction with a direct or indirect connection to Australia is proposed, foreign investors and their counsel should consider whether notification is required or advisable.

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Register of foreign ownership of agricultural land

Foreign investors holding existing interests in agricultural land as at 1 July 2015 must register those interests by 31 December 2015.

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Australian FTA summary

an overview of all free trade agreements that are either in force, in negotiation or concluded between Australia and various foreign countries.

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Australian rural land – changes to foreign investment thresholds

As predicted, the Federal Government has acted on an election promise to lower the screening thresholds for foreign buyers of Australian Rural Land effective from 1 March 2015. Read on to find out...

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