The Draft South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2019-2024 has been released for public consultation. The Strategy is supported by new koala habitat mapping. The Strategy and mapping have serious implications for landowners in koala habitat areas within a Koala Priority Area, who will be prevented from clearing their land except in very limited circumstances. We discuss these implications below and suggest that, at a minimum, landowners should review the mapping to ascertain whether their land is within a Koala Priority Area. ...

The recent amendment to the test for dishonesty in the Corporations Act 2001, which lowers the burden on the prosecution will have implications for the concept of 'community expectations' into the criminal law. ...

The demand for plant-based 'meat' alternatives is predicted to grow. As with any new industry, there is a series of regulatory issues that businesses should carefully navigate at the early planning phase. This is to avoid encountering issues down the track that may affect the marketing and supply of such products in Australia. ...

In this report, teams from 16 countries including Australia have summarised legal and commercial developments in the fintech space for 2019 and looked forward in predicting likely themes in 2020. ...

New, wide-reaching requirements for government procurement processes have recently been implemented around Australia, following the ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other Free Trade Agreements with Australia's key trading partners. ...

The Productivity Commission is examining resources sector regulation, with a focus on identifying opportunities to simplify approval processes without compromising environmental standards or community expectations. ...

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued advertising guidance for businesses involved with stems cells and other human cell or tissue products. ...

The Registrar's recent decision in Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited v Vitasoy International Singapore Pte Ltd reaffirms an assumption of level-headedness in the average consumer, capable of identifying and embracing the spirit of trade marks containing connotations rather than being misled ...

IP Australia has released a report summarising stakeholder feedback on how Australia's IP system can be improved to protect and promote the integrity of Indigenous Knowledge ...

On 13 February 2020, official patent fees will significantly increase in New Zealand, while certain trade mark fees are set to decrease. Associate Claire Gregg outlines the new fee structure and potential ways to save. ...