By Michael Cochrane (Senior Associate), Josephine Mammone (Trainee Lawyer) and Stephanie Koumbarakos (Trainee Lawyer) There has been much discussion about the macroeconomic picture of our workplace relations system in recent times with the gig economy, “wage theft”, the ACTU’s “change the rules” campaign, enterprise bargaining trends – and of course that leadership circus in Canberra … Read more
… or why corporate advisers really need an Australian Financial Services Licence By Darrell Choong (Trainee Lawyer) and Venn King (Special Counsel) There has been a great disturbance in the Force … or the financial services world at least! A recent case, Validus Advisory Group v Consolidated Tin Mines Ltd [2018] NSWSC 417 (“Validus”) has … Read more
By Adrian Faelli (Trainee Lawyer) and Kristina Antoniades (Special Counsel) From 15 November 2018, all Australians will automatically receive an online My Health Record unless they choose to opt out before this date. Privacy concerns A variety of privacy concerns surrounding sensitive personal and medical information contained within My Health Records have been raised since … Read more
By Stephanie Koumbarakos (Trainee Lawyer) and Koula Politis (Senior Associate) Australia’s largest honey company, Capilano, is one of the retail brands stung for producing adulterated honey products sold in Australian retail outlets. The complaints arose after 28 samples of various brands tested by a leading international laboratory were found to contain ingredients other than honey. … Read more
This is the text of a presentation given by Peter Buberis to the Council for Economic Development in Adelaide recently. The current atmosphere – media/senate inquiry Why the fuss now? Confusion with Finance Royal Commission – contract v bad behaviour. Concern from offshore investors. The franchising industry seems to be in a present state of turmoil … Read more
This is part one in a three-part series about changes to child support in 2018. This article deals with amended tax assessments and how they may affect your child support obligations or entitlements. How the Child Support Agency assesses Income In order to calculate the child support payable by a parent, the Child Support Agency … Read more
By Darrell Choong (Trainee Lawyer) and Paul Welling (Principal Solicitor) The gates of Troy have been breached! At least, they might be soon. In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the ACCC is considering a class exemption for collective bargaining by eligible businesses, agribusinesses and franchisees. Currently, collective bargaining is only allowed if a business … Read more
Unfortunately, the hype you will have seen since the handing down of the recent decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court in WorkPac Pty Ltd v Skene [2018] FCAFC 131 on Thursday is not misplaced. It is a decision that affects all employers who employ casuals, not just those in the labour-hire space. SUMMARY: key … Read more
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is continuing in its relentless drive to raise standards in the Australian financial advice industry, with its recent action to require a number of financial advisory outfits to retract claims of “independence”. Restricted terminology Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Corporations Act) and other laws, entities are … Read more
