591-600 of 906 results
The future for foreign financial services providers in Australia – the latest from ASIC
After much anticipation, ASIC has provided an update on its proposed changes to the licensing relief currently available to foreign financial service providers operating in Australia. ...
Unwrapping recent developments in the food sector
Associates Tiernan Christensen and Nick Li report on some noteworthy developments relevant to the food industry in Australia. ...
Does that raise a question of the criminal law?
During Royal Commission hearings last year, Commissioner Hayne ominously asked one witness: Does that raise a question of the criminal law? This Insight considers the implications of this question for financial service providers. ...
Superannuation trustees get prepared, as first reporting date to disclose portfolio holdings approaches
After many years of deferrals, the first reporting date for superannuation funds to disclose their portfolio holdings is fast approaching, with trustees being required to disclose item-by-item investment holdings by late March 2020 ...
Product safety snapshots – year in review
The last 18 months were a busy time for product safety. Consumers found redress via the courts (in the form of class actions) and the regulator (in the form of product recalls). ...
First shareholder class action judgment
The Federal Court has handed down the first judgment in a shareholder class action. There is plenty in the decision for board members and senior executives to consider in the application of the continuous disclosure laws. ...
If in doubt, get the whitewash out
The High Court's first decision on the financial assistance prohibition in section 260A of the Corporations Act supports a conservative approach to the prohibition, and in particular highlights the danger of 'taking a view' on the no material prejudice exception. ...
ALRC's Discussion Paper released: a clearer, consistent and more rational framework for addressing corporate misconduct in Australia
The Australian Law Reform Commission released for consultation today a set of proposals aimed at overhauling the federal corporate criminal responsibility regime. This comes in the wake of criticisms that the current system is ineffective in preventing, deterring and prosecuting serious corporate crime. Whilst the reforms offer a clearer, consistent and more rational framework for addressing corporate misconduct in Australia, some elements (such as the adoption of a general 'associate' model for criminal attribution) will no doubt raise concern given their capacity to significantly extend corporate liability. We examine some of the key proposals and their likely impact. Partner Christopher Kerrigan and Senior Overseas Practitioner Cindy McNair report. ...
The wait is over: Equator Principles 4 is here
The Equator Principles Association unveiled the finalised fourth version of the Equator Principles (EP4) on 18 November 2019. Set for an effective date of 1 July 2020, EP4 heightens requirements for designated OECD countries and tightens due diligence assessments with a greater focus on human rights, climate change and biodiversity. While there are many improvements and refinements from the draft we reviewed in June, the only potentially material change is a compromise on the 'free prior and informed consent' requirement for affected Indigenous communities. ...
The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement
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. ...