The new package of legislation overhauling Australias foreign investment laws the first major revision in 40 years commenced on 1 December 2015 While many features of the previous regime have been retained and sometimes re-named there are also a number of significant changes Partners Jeremy Low ...

Treasurer Scott Morrison this week announced that he has tasked the Productivity Commission to review the state of competition in Australias financial system The Budget has also included other measures focused on competition in the financial sector including funding to establish a dedicated ACCC ...

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority AFCA the new one-stop-shop for resolving financial complaints has had a very busy first six months of operation ...

ASIC has today announced that superannuation fund trustees and responsible entities will have until 1 October 2017 to comply with the updated fee and cost disclosure rules for PDSs set out in ASIC Regulatory Guide 97 and ASIC Class Order 141252 - but only if they comply with certain conditions ...

The Federal Government has released its much anticipated Review into Open Banking in Australia The Review makes 50 sweeping recommendations to implement Open Banking including a new regulatory framework under which the regime would operate in the broader context of a new Consumer Data Right for all ...

A number of industries and issues are in the spotlight following release of the ACCCs 2018 Enforcement and Compliance Priorities by ACCC Chairman Rod Sims on 20 February 2018 The financial services energy commercial construction and agriculture sectors will be a focus in 2018 as well as the ...

The Financial System Inquiry Interim Report was issued today There are few surprises in the options and comments although there are some significant omissions There does not appear to be any push for a significant shift in policy or in the regulation of the financial system There will be adjustments ...

ASIC has released for industry comment a draft Class Order which would amend the fees and costs disclosure requirements that apply to superannuation and managed investment products The key proposed amendments relate to the way in which indirect costs must be disclosed Senior Associate Simun Soljo ...

The vast pool of capital held in Australian superannuation funds now approximately A18 trillion has long been touted as a natural solution to Australias infrastructure funding deficit With the stable long-term cash flows characteristic of infrastructure assets providing a natural fit to the ...

ASIC has released its consultation paper on collective shareholder actions which calls for feedback on a draft update to Regulatory Guide 128 The consultation paper illustrates ASICs current albeit preliminary views on the tension between fostering increased investor engagement on the one hand and ...