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. ...

Partner Managing Associate Partner Investor appetite for Australian infrastructure remains strong. However, to maintain our status as a leading infrastructure investment destination, we must address systemic issues that are adversely ...

The Federal Government's 'big stick' energy Bill, which will define and prohibit several new types of misconduct in electricity markets, is progressing through Parliament and is expected to be pass ...

Federal laws imposing a three-year minimum expiry date on gift cards sold in Australia came into effect last week, but certain state laws relating to gift cards also remain. This Insight explains t ...

Landlords and tenants will see changes to their rights and compliance obligations under retail shop leases as a result of proposed amendments to the Building Act 1993 (Vic) (and regulations) ( ...

Following Papua New Guinea's accession to the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (read our Insight on PNG's accession to the New York Convention ...

In a trail-blazing and world-leading move, the ACCC has commenced proceedings against Google, alleging that it engaged in misleading conduct, and made false or misleading representations to consumers about how and when it collects, keeps and uses their personal information in relation to location data. It is the first case brought globally to probe Google's approach to location data collection, and is likely to increase the focus on consumer awareness of data use in digital markets. ...

ASIC issues Corporate Governance Taskforce report; ASX flags updates to listing rules; ACCC updates cartel immunity and cooperation policy, and expresses concerns with consumer loyalty schemes; ...

The Federal Court has handed down the first judgment in a shareholder class action, more than 20 years after the first case was filed, in the class action arising from an earnings forecast Myer gav ...

Court hangs up on ACCC over TPG pre-payments The Federal Court has dismissed the ACCC's case against TPG for making alleged false or misleading representations to its customers and including an ...