Continued coordination in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; int'l agreement for regulators to cooperate on cross-border investigations; Oscar Wylee penalised $3.5m; Pfizer's Upjohn merger cleared with Mylan; ACCC examines competition in mobile apps market; and new Energy Tech Consumer Code ...

In COVID-19 news, the authorisation permitting insurers to coordinate on temporary relief measures is being proposed to be extended; and the ACCC has imposed further conditions on coordination between health insurers. Elsewhere, the ACCC has rejected a proposal to set minimum advertised prices for Dewalt power tools, declaring any public benefit was outweighed by the potential consumer detriments. The Federal Court has declined to make declaration that Quantum Housing engaged in unconscionable conduct; and also found in favour of Kimberly-Clark Australia by dismissing the ACCC's appeal regarding Kleenex flushable wipes. Finally, the ACCC has raised concerns with Google's proposed acquisition of Fitbit; and also stated that Caravanning Queensland's proposed 'loyalty program' may raise competition concerns. ...

Regulators assess priorities and continue to respond in the wake of COVID-19; the Treasurer temporarily modifies the operation of Australia's continuous disclosure laws; ASIC broadens its position and issues further guidance; ASX holds course on the CHESS replacement system; comprehensive reform and further guidance on the temporary changes to the FIRB regime; the ACCC continues to allow market coordination; Takeovers Panel guidance on equity derivatives delayed; and more temporary amendments to Fair Work Act. ...

As the dust settles on a raft of COVID-19 related disruptions to various proposed legislative and regulatory reforms, the Allens team takes stock of the current regulatory reform proposals in the superannuation, funds and insurance sectors which have been mooted for the tail end of 2020 and early 2021. ...

ASIC's Corporate Plan sets out its strategic priorities and actions for the next four years, especially its approach to its supervisory, surveillance and enforcement functions, and how each of those may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

We said at the outset of this pandemic that financial advice will play an important role in supporting members who are considering whether to access their super early. Alive to that, ASIC recently released a series of measures to facilitate access to financial advice ...

The ACCC's action against Lime demonstrates that businesses must carefully consider what actions may constitute a 'recall', particularly where electronic products are supplied. It also serves as a reminder that product safety issues can be regarded as a breach of the Australian Consumer Law and can give rise to pecuniary penalties. ...

The Queensland Government has announced major reforms to its petroleum royalties regime which will come into force from 1 October 2020. This, and the royalty rates ultimately set, will have implications for the future returns on Queensland petroleum projects. Producers should also review any existing private arrangements that may have relied on the existing wellhead value approach to ensure any unanticipated consequences are resolved prior commencement of the new regime. ...

Allens has advocated for reform to the class action regime for many years, including by way of submissions to inquiries conducted by the Australian Law Reform Commission and the Victorian Law Reform Commission. We have made a detailed submission to the current inquiry in which we outline our concerns regarding the increasingly entrepreneurial direction of Australia's class action landscape and advocate for (and against) various reforms. ...

WIPO PROOF - WIPO's new service can be used to prove the existence and contents of a digital file at a given time. ...