The ability to enter into, and enforce, contracts with governments is complicated by the principle that governments cannot fetter the future exercise of their discretionary powers (known as the 'fettering doctrine'). ...

The Federal Court has decided that, from the commencement of her employment, a casual employee was engaged on a 'regular and systematic' basis and had a reasonable expectation of continued employment. ...

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has unveiled the much-anticipated new regulatory framework for foreign financial services providers that supply financial services to wholesale clients in Australia. foreign financial services providers ...

The newly introduced superannuation guarantee (SG) amnesty scheme provides a one-off amnesty to encourage employers to self-correct historical SG non-compliance. This is done by allowing employers to claim tax deductions for contributions made during the amnesty period, as well as waiving certain penalties and fees that may otherwise apply in relation to historical SG non-compliance. ...

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has commenced its first prosecution into duty holders under the new chain of responsibility (CoR) provisions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), which has been adopted in all states and territories (other than Western Australian and the Northern Territory). ...

The Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has ordered a case be reheard after it was found that adequate consideration was not given at first instance to whether a dismissed employee had been notified of, and given an opportunity to respond to, a valid reason for his dismissal. ...

As the COVID-19 pandemic creates turbulence in global financial markets and propels investors into a race for liquidity, we are beginning to see investment funds grappling with some of the issues they had confronted in 2007–2009 during the global financial crisis (the GFC). ...

Like all industries, the superannuation industry is facing some immense challenges in light of the rapidly developing COVID-19 pandemic. This Insight considers some of the more topical issues the industry is facing ...

The COVID Safe Harbour will provide useful immediate relief for companies and their directors, particularly those who need time to assess the company's position before developing a turnaround plan or pursuing an insolvency administration if that becomes necessary. ...

Proposed changes giving ASIC powers in relation to financial services industry codes of conduct means that obligations in these codes may become enforceable. This is interesting because the drafting in many of these codes tends to be broad, and, in some cases, goes far beyond the participants' exist ...