Category: News
New rules for extra-territorial jurisdiction in Western Australia
The rules regarding service outside the jurisdiction are about to change for the Supreme Court of Western Australia. In a March notice to practitioners, the Chief Justice informed the profession that the …
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Same Job, same pay (closing the labour hire loophole)
The first application seeking a regulated labour hire arrangement order has been lodged in Queensland. If granted it will require a labour hire company to extend the benefits of the host employer’s …
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Questioning the impending changes to “casual” employment
The casual employee landscape is about to change. In response to the phenomenon of “casualisation”, the Federal Government has introduced legislation with the aim of better protecting casual employees. This article takes …
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The online dating economy as a focus for regulatory action: ACCC v eHarmony Inc
This financial year the priorities of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) include consumer and fair-trading issues relating to manipulative or deceptive advertising and marketing practices in the digital economy; and …
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Fair Work Act – Important Changes
In 2023, a number of amendments to the Fair Work Act contained in the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 and the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) …
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What does the final Government response to the Quality of Advice Review mean for the financial services industry? Part 2
The Australian Government provided a final response to the Quality of Advice review on 7 December 2023 (Government Final Response), as part of the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes package to improve accessibility, …
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Class action waiver void as the High Court confirms the extraterritorial scope of the Australian Consumer Law in the Ruby Princess COVID-cruise case
The Ruby Princess will be remembered by many Australians with disdain as the floating petri dish that kicked off the spread of COVID-19 in Australia. The ship departed Sydney on 8 March …
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Time to Pay, Pal: The ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ sector to be regulated under the Credit Act
On 22 May 2023, the Federal Government announced tougher regulations for the Buy Now Pay Later (‘BNPL’) industry in an attempt to better protect consumers against financial abuse by the lending schemes. …
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Limitations on fixed term employment contracts under the Fair Work Act 2009: is your business prepared?
On 7 December 2023, amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) relating to the use of fixed term employment contracts will take effect. Those amendments will significantly limit the …
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Turbocharging the Commonwealth’s fiscal powers: High Court expands excise power to include taxes on the consumption of goods
On Wednesday 18 October, the High Court of Australia handed down its long-awaited decision in Vanderstock v State of Victoria [2023] HCA 30 (Vanderstock). By a 4:3 majority, the Court ruled that …
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