Reading Room

Director penalty notices: E-Alert August 2010

The Tax Laws Amendment (Transfer of Provisions) Act 2010 was given  Royal Assent on 29 June 2010 and makes some important changes to the director penalty notices (DPN) regime.

Consumer Protection Laws: Update May 2010

In this Commercial Update we look at Stage 1 of the national consumer protection law reforms which include the introduction of a national unfair terms regime for consumer contracts, additional enforcement remedies and how businesses can prepare themselves for the changes.

To view the full Update, please download PDF

Liability caps and risk management: E-Alert April 2010

Important changes to the Defence Procurement Policy Manual

Introduction

The have been some important changes to the Defence Procurement Policy Manual (DPPM) of which suppliers need to be aware.

On 1 April 2010 the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) released the latest version of the DPPM which, among other things, formalises …

Electric vehicle symposium and trial Launch: E-Alert December 2009

Following delivery of the Automotive Review led by the Hon Steve Bracks, former Premier of Victoria, the Victorian State Government and the Commonwealth Government have moved to promote R&D and manufacturing activities in Australia relating to 'green car' innovation.

At the State level, during December 2009 and January 2010, Invest Victoria will be conducting an Electric …

DMO Releases Reform Plan: E-Alert November 2009

The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has today (13 November 2009) released its plan for adopting a more business-like and commercial orientation.

As part of its response to the various recommendations of the "Mortimer Review" of Defence Procurement and Sustainment, DMO's CEO, Dr Stephen Gumley, has released DMO's plan for adopting a more business-like …

Australia's Foreign Investment Policy: E-Alert November 2009

Economic recovery drives amendments to Australia's Foreign Investment Policy

The foreign investment screening framework has recently been reformed to help boost Australia's growth as the global economy recovers.

The changes allow private foreign investment in Australian businesses below $219 million to now proceed without the need for review by the Foreign Investment …

Free trade agreement between Australia, ASEAN and NZ: E-Alert March 2009

Great news for Australian goods and services exporters to Vietnam: The free trade agreement between Australia and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and New Zealand.

On 27 February 2009 Australia signed its biggest free trade agreement with ASEAN (Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar and Brunei) and New Zealand, …

Fundraising for the Victorian bushfire: E-Alert February 2009

Issues to consider when fundraising for the Victorian bushfire victims

We have received a number of queries in the last few days from clients seeking to establish appeals for the victims of the Victorian bushfires. If you are planning fundraising appeals for the Victorian bushfire victims, it is important to consider the impacts of each of the following before proceeding:  

• The …

Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) - The White Paper: Update December 2008

The Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong has released a White Paper, which sets out elements of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) , a medium-term target range for the reduction of carbon pollution in Australia and an indicative emissions trajectory for 2010-2013.

In this briefing, Maddocks identifies the main features of the scheme, notes aspects …