Australia and japan have enetered into an economic partnership agreement to reducel tariff barriers on the majority of Australian exports to Japan. In contrast to the recently concluded Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement, it does not include an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism. ...

Recent press reports have made much of Leanne Hodyls Churchill Fellowship report findings that high-rise apartment towers are being built within Melbournes Hoddle Grid at four times the maximum densities allowed in cities such as Hong Kong New York and Tokyo In the light of this report Managing ...

Those involved in property development arrangements or business acquisitions should be aware of the tax implications of the recent High Court decision in Lend Lease Development that has broadened the scope of what forms the consideration for the transfer of dutiable property The High Court found ...

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 ...

A recent NSW Court of Appeal decision emphasises the importance of contractors complying with contractual requirements to obtain the principal's approval before subcontracting services or works. Failure to do so may disentitle the contractor from claiming payment for services that the unauthorised subcontractors have provided. However, the case leaves open whether it may be possible for a contractor to recover the cost of unauthorised subcontracted services in restitution based on a quantum meruit claim, or on the basis of an unenforceable penalty. ...

Whether or not to more broadly adopt a user-pays model for road infrastructure is a contentious debate within Australia A number of industry participants and bodies have shown leadership in framing and enriching the debate while others have sought to politicise or inflame the core issues Partner ...

Victoria is proposing to limit its off-the-plan duty concession; extend the scope of its sub-sale duty provisions; and introduce a vacant residential property tax ...

The Queensland Government is proposing legislation that will restore a prohibition on landlords requiring tenants to pay land tax under commercial leases entered into after 1 January 1992 and before 30 June 2009 This essentially negates the effect of a Supreme Court decision that land tax from 30 ...

While it is an established asset class offshore particularly the US and UK the build-to-rent market in Australia is in its infancy For build-to-rent to become an established asset class in Australia social legal tax and broader economic challenges need to be overcome Recent legislative reform and a ...

Project proponents and operators in Queensland can breathe a sigh of relief following the introduction of a Bill to restore certainty and validity to agreements for the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage in that state. ...