Insights

The class exemption for small business collective bargaining is now in play

On 3 June 2021, the much-anticipated class exemption for small businesses, franchisees and fuel retailers came into effect.

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Peak Indebtedness: In the Gunn

In a significant decision delivered on 10 May 2021, in which JWS acts for the plaintiff liquidators of the Gunns Group, the Full Federal Court in Badenoch v Bryant has declined to follow some six...

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Energy Security Board: Post 2025 Market Design, Options – A paper for consultation

The Energy Security Board (ESB) was established by COAG to develop required changes to the National Electricity Rules to meet the changing needs of the Australian electricity market.

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Hydrogen 2021 Federal Budget Update

On 11 May 2021 the Treasurer of the Commonwealth, the Honourable Josh Frydenberg, handed down the 2021/2022 Federal Budget. Pursuant to the Paris Agreement, the Government has committed to reducing...

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May Australian Energy & Resources Market Update

Our update covers mining, oil and gas, electricity and renewable energy.

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National Gas Infrastructure Plan - Interim Report

The Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources recently published its Interim Report in relation to its proposed National Gas Infrastructure Plan (NGIP). The purpose of the...

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The Class Actions Law Review

Partner Robert Johnston, Senior Associate Nicholas Briggs and Senior Associate Sara Gaertner have written the Australian chapter in The Law Reviews 5th edition of The Class Actions Law Review.

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Federal Budget 2021

In this special Insight we bring you the key taxation measures announced by the Treasurer, the Hon. Josh Frydenberg, in the 2021-22 Australian Federal Budget on Tuesday 11 May 2021.

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ASIC consults on the ‘cornerstone’ of Australia’s financial services regulatory framework

On 22 April 2021, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) issued Consultation Paper 340: Breach reporting and related obligations (CP 340) which seeks industry submissions on...

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Taxpayer wins in latest AAT R&D decision

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) recently held in favour of taxpayer PKWK in a research and development (R&D) dispute against Innovation and Science Australia (ISA).

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Varying Development Standards: A Case for Change

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is seeking feedback on its proposed reforms to clause 4.6 of the Standard Instrument – Local Environmental Plan (Standard Instrument)...

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ACL unfair contract terms vs NSW disclosure obligations for substantially prejudicial terms

On 1 January 2021 NSW Fair Trading began enforcing a new law requiring businesses in NSW to make disclosures regarding terms that substantially prejudice the interests of consumers .

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Proposed reforms to tackle sexual harassment

The Federal Government has announced that it will be introducing legislation to Parliament to bolster the national framework for addressing sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. The proposed...

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Recent trends in complex ACCC merger review cases

We are pleased to share with you the fifth edition of our report on recent trends in complex merger review cases by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC).

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Should creating environmental planning instruments be subject to greater Parliamentary oversight?

Last week, the Regulation Committee of the NSW Legislative Council announced it was conducting an inquiry into whether State Environmental Planning Policies, or SEPPs, should be made disallowable...

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“From the Company” after all: Liquidators claw back third party payments made during a DOCA

In the wake of the Victorian Court of Appeal’s decision in Cant v Mad Brothers Earthmoving [2020] VSCA 198 (‘Cant’), the Supreme Court of New South Wales’ recent decision in Re Western Port...

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Program to support petroleum exploration and appraisal activities in the Beetaloo sub-basin

On 18 March 2021, the Commonwealth Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, announced the opening of the $50 million Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program.

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Casual Employees - Certainty for Employers

The Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia's Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2021 (Bill) has now passed Parliament and provides more certainty for employers in relation to casual employees.

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Beauty parades are here to stay

“Auctions” or “beauty parades” are here to stay in class actions and so we will continue to see a race to file with multiple law firms and multiple funders vying for the ”prize” of being selected...

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March Australian Energy & Resources Market Update

Our update covers mining, oil and gas, electricity and renewable energy.

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Sexual harassment: now squarely a Work Health and Safety issue

Safe Work Australia has released new national guidance on preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment (Guide). The release of the Guide is just one of a number of significant...

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Carbon appétit: Government expresses hunger for carbon capture and storage via new fund

On 1 March 2021, the Commonwealth Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor, launched the $50 million Carbon Capture, Use and Storage Development Fund (Fund) to support the growth...

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Victoria positions itself to become a global hydrogen leader

In early February the Victorian Government announced that a new, $10 million hydrogen hub would be constructed in Melbourne’s south east.

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Need a doctor? There's an app for that, but new TGA risk classification rules apply

Standalone software (which is not attached to any physical medical device), commonly in the form of a mobile app, is increasingly becoming one of the means upon which we treat, diagnose or monitor...

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