A new environmental protection regime in the Northern Territory will commence imminently. The Environment Protection Act 2019 and Environment Protection Regulations 2020 (NT) will commence on 28 June 2020. All operators and proponents should prepare for commencement of this new regime. In particular, proponents with projects currently being assessed under the Environmental Assessment Administrative Procedures 1984 should take advice regarding how their assessment will complete upon the commencement of the new regime. ...

The COVID-19 pandemic and its broad-reaching economic impacts poses a significant challenge to the continuous operation of oil and gas projects in Australia. ...

On 7 April 2020, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Management Authority (NOPSEMA), issued a Safety Alert to all operators of offshore facilities who may be considering modified roster arrangements to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among members of the offshore workforce.  ...

Key changes to the Australian domestic gas security mechanism ...

The Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018 (Vic) (EP Act), which was set to commence on 1 July 2020 (and overhaul environmental laws in Victoria) will now commence on 1 July 2021 as a part of a suite of emergency measures in response to COVID-19. ...

The Queensland Parliament has passed the Resources Safety and Health Queensland Act 2020 (Qld) (RSHQ Act), which when it comes into effect on 1 July 2020, will change the State's regulatory framework for health and safety in the resources industry. ...

The Fair Work Commission (the FWC) has released an opinion on how to deal with monthly paid employees under the JobKeeper scheme.1 ...

As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease, businesses preparing to transition their workers back to their usual workplaces need to keep in mind the 10 'National COVID-19 Safe Workplace Principles' (Safe Workplace Principles), announced by the Morrison Government on 24 April 2020, in managing their work health and safety (WHS) risks in light of the serious health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

COVID-19 and competition and consumer law issues; ACCC fines Queensland Yoghurt Company; news media bargaining code; Holden agrees to reduce speed of engagement with dealers over compensation; ACCC CDR accreditation platform now live; Voltaren gel decision in Federal Court; and EB Games to refund customers after not playing fair. ...

The sudden and unknown nature of COVID-19 has triggered a global economic shock, and disrupted Australia's economy. As we enter a national state of economic 'hibernation', banks and lenders are grappling with a sudden influx of relief requests from consumer and business customers. ...