This week ASIC flagged a change in its approach to the exercise of its power to make orders to recover expenses and costs associated with investigations Information Sheet 204 indicates that ASIC will be making greater use of this power to seek recovery of its costs from individuals and companies ...

A public inquiry into the Victorian Environment Protection Authority EPA has been announced and will commence on 1 June 2015, covering a variety of issues in relation to the EPA's role in public health and environmental protection ...

A recent advisory opinion from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal outlines certain limits on the maintenance repair and compliance costs that a landlord can recover from tenants under Victorian leases particularly retail premises leases Partner John Beckinsale Special Counsel Christine ...

GST is to be applied to the supply of services and other intangibles by non-residents to Australian consumers under legislation proposed to apply from 1 July 2017 This will include the supply of digital products and the supply of other services The liability for GST on such supplies made through an ...

In response to its concerns about the potential risks associated with shared computing services including cloud computing APRA has issued an information paper that sets out prudential considerations and key principles for APRA-regulated entities using such services Partner Michael Morris Senior ...

The Queensland Parliament has passed legislation introducing a stamp duty concession for transfers of interests in exploration authorities under eligible farm-in agreements ...

In October 2014 ASIC released its report into retail life insurance advice practices The findings were pretty grim - with poor advice being more common than good or even adequate advice ASIC said that advisers were motivated by the promise of commissions not the interests of their clients Following ...

Ecstasy cocaine and industrial action at a construction site are unlikely subjects for an article on financial services regulation They are however the things that have led to what could be a significant change to the way in which financial services regulators like ASIC and APRA can resolve civil ...

This week the Victorian Planning Minister kickstarted a review into the Heritage Act 1995 Vic by launching a discussion paper outlining Heritage Victorias suggestions for reform Developers and heritage-listed property owners should consider the proposed changes to prepare for a public consultation ...

Recent decisions handed down in separate cartel proceedings confirm that Australian courts will take a broad approach to the extraterritorial ambit of Australias competition laws This means that more foreign businesses could be caught by Australias criminal and civil cartel laws These decisions ...