In welcome news for company directors, the Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Bill 2021 (Amendment Bill) to temporarily permit electronic execution and convening of company meetings has finally been enacted.

A recent decision handed down by the Full Federal Court in Advanced Holdings Pty Limited as Trustee for the Demian Trust v FCT [2021] FCAFC 135 emphasises the important principles of trust deed interpretation and the limitations of statutory provisions concerning the evidentiary force of company records. The decision also serves as a valuable reminder for directors of small companies and corporate trustees to maintain good records.

On Wednesday 4 August the High Court upheld the appeal of labour-hire company, WorkPac, in a decision which will come as welcome news to employers.

The Court unanimously overturned the May 2020 decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court which had held that an employee of WorkPac, Robert Rossato, was entitled to paid leave entitlements and public holiday payments as a permanent employee of the company, despite being contracted as a casual worker.