Reading RoomOn 10 July 2011, the Prime Minister released the Federal Government's 'Clean Energy Future Plan' (Plan).
The centrepiece of the Plan is the introduction of a carbon price starting at $23 per tonne of carbon pollution on 1 July 2012. This price will be payable by Australia's 500 most carbon-intensive businesses in the stationary energy, …
Maddocks previously reported in July 2009, an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation into conduct of Jin Hua Chen and his wife, Yu Ling Sun who offered three cash payments totalling $600 to Warringah Council officers in order to facilitate the Council’s building inspection approval of their business. Mr Chen admitted to intending to bribe the Council …
The recent decision of the Land and Environment Court in Hamod v Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning [2009] NSWLEC 24 (Hamod), highlights some of the risks councils may face when delegating authority to determine a development application, as well as the circumstances in which a motion to rescind that delegation will be ineffective and unavailable. This update highlights the caution …
On 25 September 2009, the Full Bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission released a Statement (Statement) and an exposure draft of the Local Government Modern Award 2010 (Modern Award).
We thought it timely to draw your attention to the following comments made by the Full Bench in the Statement:
The Crown Land Acts Amendment (Lease and Licence Terms) Act 2009 (Vic) (2009 Act) amends the 1978 Act and the 1958 Act. It received royal assent on 5 August 2009 and a substantial part of the 2009 Act came into operation on 6 August 2009.
To view the full Update, please download PDF.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) recently undertook an inquiry into an attempted bribery of a Warringah Council Officer. The incident showcased prompt and appropriate reporting of misconduct and also displayed a high level of cooperation between ICAC and the Council, and also serves as a reminder of the processes and procedures Councils should employ where …
If your Council applied for funding under the Community Infrastructure Program –Strategic Projects Plan, then keep your eyes open for further announcements. The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has recently begun to announce successful projects and on 25 June 2009, a second round of funding for the end of the year …
Maddocks recently acted for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (Council) in a watershed case involving prosecutions of both Council and a Council officer for breaches of environmental legislation. It is a rare example of a governmental agency and its officers being prosecuted. This rare prosecution serves as a timely reminder of the risk of prosecution for breaches of environmental …