Evolution v Chubb Insurance clarifies that unless a policy contains an advancement of defence costs provision (and subject to the particular terms of the policy), an insured should not assume it will be entitled to be reimbursed for defence costs as and when they are incurred if there is a debate with the insurer about the operation of an exclusion clause in respect of the third party claim brought against the insured. ...

The climate emergency is occupying mainstream policy focus in many countries and with the lack of viable alternatives to achieve the levels of deep decarbonisation consistent with net zero targets, clean hydrogen has unprecedented political and industry momentum. ...

After several months of delay due to COVID-19, the Bill implements a large number of the Hayne Royal Commission recommendations, and in particular picks up several of the recommendations that are aimed at reforming the insurance sector. ...

The exposure draft legislation released yesterday for a 'single default account' aims to limit 'the creation of multiple superannuation accounts for employees who do not choose a superannuation fund when they start a new job'. ...

In light of recent tensions, we assess the importance of Australian trading businesses understanding their sovereign risk and the avenues available under international trade law to mitigate that risk. ...

On 6 November 2020, the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia handed down its much anticipated decision dismissing the Commissioner's appeal (save for one issue) against Glencore Investment Pty Ltd in a significant transfer pricing dispute. ...

The ACCC recently published the Digital Platform Services Inquiry Interim Report as part of its role in monitoring the impact of digital platforms on competition and consumers. The Interim Report examines the privacy / data handling, competition, consumer and small business implications related to the increasing use of online private messaging services. ...

In our latest update, we examine the progress of new and existing rule change requests to the AEMC across the month of October, as well as take a closer look at the Data Strategy proposed by the ESB. ...

Our key takeaways from the Government's Retirement Income Review (with a focus on the superannuation implications). ...

The pandemic has laid bare Australia's overextended and under-invested social and affordable housing market. We look at some of the investment initiatives that have been pursued to date by the state governments. We  also suggest some regulatory and planning changes that can be made. ...