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
By Chloe McGuinness (Senior Associate) and Monica Blizzard (Director) 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 … 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
The effect of fatigue on road safety is a critical issue for the road transport industry and the broader community. Self-monitoring and self-reporting are ineffective controls in reducing serious or fatal fatigue related road accidents. Technology can be used as a proactive safety tool with the capacity to reduce safety incidents. In two recent cases, … Read more
Having acted for corporate accused who have been exposed to the inefficiency and costs of running a plea twice (in the summary and then appellate jurisdiction) on the same evidence, material and submissions, the amendments proposed by the Justice Legislation Amendment (Unlawful Association and Criminal Appeals) Bill 2018 are welcome. Current position An appeal by … Read more
A recent ruling of the Fair Work Commission full bench in Ross Kennedy v Qantas Ground Services Pty Ltd [2018] FWCFB 4319 has cast some further light on the tough stance taken on legal representation in the “shadow lawyers” decision ruling last October ultimately finding that even larger employers which employ HR or in-house lawyers … Read more
Grandparents are playing a greater role in many families, often due to the high cost of childcare and increasing rates of divorce. But what happens when a grandparent is refused time with their grandchild or wishes to assume full care of a child? What are grandparents’ rights in these circumstances? What the law says The … Read more
