Federal Government releases draft reforms to the unfair contract terms regime

The Federal Government has unveiled an exposure draft of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Measures for a later sitting) Bill 2021: Unfair contract term reforms (Exposure Draft) which seeks to amend the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) to improve the unfair contract terms (UCT) regime.

Read More

2021 ACCC Priorities – Horticultural Code of Conduct

The Horticulture Code of Conduct is a mandatory industry code prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, and we’re expecting increased enforcement activity from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in 2021 in line with ACCC’s continued concerns about the supply of perishable agriculture products and agricultural supply chain arrangements generally.

Read More

Subcontracting? – check your obligations

When we engage someone to perform a task, it is a common expectation that it will be that person or organisation who actually does the work. This is particularly the case for professional advice, consulting or areas of knowledge where the expertise of specific individuals is a key reason for entering into a contract for services.

Read More
Tax Rob Warnock Tax Rob Warnock

The Allocation of Profits by Professional Firms: Further Hurdles to be Overcome for IPPs

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released guidelines which set out the ATO’s proposed compliance approach to the allocation of profits by professional firms. The Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2021/D2 Allocation of professional firm profits – ATO compliance approach (Draft PCG) make substantial changes to the former guidance that the ATO suspended in late 2017.

Read More

ASIC commences landmark proceedings against RI Advice Group Pty Ltd for inadequate cyber security

Following multiple cyber-attacks to financial service adviser RI Advice Group Pty Ltd (RI), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission commenced proceedings against RI alleging contravention of its obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) for failure to have adequate cyber security systems as an Australian Financial Services licence holder.

Read More

Sony ordered to pay $3.5 million for misrepresenting consumer rights

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has continued its rampage on the online marketplace industry in ACCC v Sony Interactive Entertainment Network Europe Ltd [2020] FCA 787, as it continues to vigilantly protect Australian consumers that purchase items online.

Read More