The parenting arrangements for children of separated parents can be difficult to navigate at the best of times. So, what happens when a global pandemic is also a factor in these parenting arrangements?

Whilst there is no specific family law legislation to cover the current covid-19 crisis, if there are Family Law Orders in place with respect to your parenting arrangements, you must seek to comply with those Orders.

Over the last few weeks, landlords, tenants and their lawyers have been awaiting guidelines from the Government to assist in their lease negotiations. While further legislation is required from each of the States, the Prime Minister released the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct SME Commercial Leasing Principles During COVID-19 (Code) on 7 April 2020.

On 18 March 2020, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released guidance on their expectations regarding contracts that are cancelled as a result of COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.

The contract cancellations discussed in this article are those that relate to travel, events, gym memberships and food delivery services.

On 18 March 2020, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released guidance on their expectations regarding weddings that are cancelled as a result of COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.

First and foremost, the ACCC “expect” businesses to treat consumers “fairly” in connection with cancellation or refund requests resulting from COVID-19 restrictions.

On 29 March 2020 the Federal Government announced changes to the foreign investment review regime as Australia continues to deal with the economic implications of COVID-19.

Once the legislation is passed, effective from 29 March 2020, all proposed foreign investment into Australia subject to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 will require approval.

A recent Court of Appeal (Court) decision has clarified the application of section 35(1)(a) of the Duties Act 2000 (Vic). This section provides an exemption from transfer duty that applies when property is transferred to a trustee to be held solely as trustee of the transferor without any change in the beneficial ownership of the property.

The Government will allow members to access $10,000 of their super benefits in the 2019/20 year and a further $10,000 from 1 July 2020 until 24 September 2020 in the 2020/21 year.

The Government has reduced the minimum annual payment required for account-based pensions and annuities, allocated pensions and annuities and market-linked pensions and annuities by 50% in the 2019/20 and the 2020/21 financial years.

The ATO has also confirmed that it will take no compliance action if the 5% in house asset limit is exceeded as at 30 June 2020.

The ATO has confirmed that it will not take compliance action against SMSFs that give a related party tenant a temporary reduction in rent during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 years.

On 30 March 2020 the Federal Government announced further COVID-19 business support in the form of the JobKeeper Payment, which is intended to keep individuals connected with their employer and talks to the ‘hibernation’ of businesses already mentioned by the Prime Minister.

Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses significantly affected by Coronavirus outbreak will be able to access a $1,500 support payment per employee per fortnight for up to 6 months from the Government to continue paying their employees.