371-380 of 1180 results
Workplace manslaughter: Victoria's new workplace crime
Under Victoria's new offence of workplace manslaughter, if a corporation or officer (which can extend to senior managers) is negligent and that results in a fatality, there will be a risk of criminal prosecution. Individuals will risk a lengthy sentence of imprisonment. ...
Targeting net zero: climate change is putting governance to the test
It is a financial imperative to actively navigate the risks and opportunities that the carbon transition presents. It follows, therefore, that corporate strategy in relation to climate risks and opportunities is no longer appropriately housed solely in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) or s ...
What are the trade implications of COVID-related government subsidies?
Members of Australian industry, importers and exporters should consider the impact of government subsidies on their business operations and related anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures or risk. ...
Annual members' meetings for superannuation funds – physical, electronic hybrid or virtual?
In May, the Federal Treasurer used emergency powers to temporarily modify the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to facilitate the holding of public company shareholder meetings virtually, without any attendees required to be physically present. We take a look at the SIS Act requirements, ASIC statements, and the implications for holding members' meeting in the current environment. ...
Officer without office: High Court rules persons can be company officers despite absence of official title
The recent decision of the High Court of Australia in ASIC v King considers the meaning and scope of the term 'officer', as defined in s9 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), and contains important if non-binding observations on how the term may catch bankers and other third parties. ...
Financial advice relief – all talk and no-action
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 simple case of the SIS Act 'best interests' obligation
Commissioner Hayne's comments in his final report, and the surge of community interest in super, have resulted in a renaissance of sorts for the 'best interests' obligation. ...
Corporate PPAs: questions to ask, traps to avoid
As electricity prices rise and we move towards a carbon‑constrained future, companies are looking for ways to manage their exposure to changing electricity prices and to purchase electricity from renewable sources. Generators are also looking beyond retailers as potential offtakers to support the de ...
What courts and regulators expect from corporate compliance
The recent decision of ACCC v Bupa Aged Care contains valuable lessons on the importance of compliance programs. They include how quickly improving or implementing such programs can lead to lower penalties; the extent to which regulators and courts favourably view effective compliance programs when assessing penalties, and what features they consider to be essential. ...
Treasurer temporarily amends continuous disclosure laws during COVID-19 crisis
The Treasurer has used his emergency powers under the Corporations Act (the Act) to temporarily modify the operation of Australia's continuous disclosure laws. The Treasurer's release states that the changes are designed to enable listed companies to more confidently provide earnings guidance ...