Corporate
Ex-Star CEO, GC hit with combined $1.1M in penalties for money laundering failures
A judge has ordered the former CEO and chief legal officer of Star to pay a combined $1.1 million in penalties for failing to act on "obvious" money laundering risks, but said the fines would have been higher had ASIC not struck a "generous" settlement with other directors.
Media
ARN settles with shock jock Kyle Sandilands for $12M
ARN Media has reached a $12 million settlement with radio personality Kyle Sandilands, who sued the network over its decision to scrap his 10-year $100 million contract following an on-air fight with co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson.
Contracts
Honda wins appeal of $13.6M damages award for dealer
Honda has succeed in challenging a $13.6 million damages award to a former dealer whose contract was broken when the car maker transitioned away from a dealer model.
MinterEllison
MinterEllison readies for litigation wave with new partner appointments
MinterEllison has elevated seven lawyers to its partnership, including four disputes specialists, as the firm anticipates litigation over major projects and AI-related class actions.
Tax
Deloitte, Pitcher Partners face negligence case by ex-Ubertas owner
A former owner of the Ubertas property development group is suing Deloitte Private and Pitcher Partners, alleging they gave her negligent advice that led to an audit and a $12 million tax bill.
Professional Negligence
CBA says Cornwalls should pay price of pointing finger in negligence suit
The Commonwealth Bank wants Cornwalls to pay its costs in a negligence case by a former client, saying the law firm should foot the bill for claiming proportionate liability against the bank.
Legal Ethics
Law Council defends legal privilege ahead of KPMG hearing
The Law Council says asserting legal professional privilege is not "inherently scandalous", ahead of a parliamentary hearing on KPMG's sharing ofclient information, at which law firms Allens and Ashurst are expected to stay mum.
Class Actions
AMP’s $100M deal in BOLR class action no bar to advisor’s case: court
A former financial advisor and his company have won court approval to run a claim challenging AMP's buyer of last resort policy, despite the company being a group member in a related class action that settled for $100 million in 2023.
KPMG
KPMG referred to NACC over whistleblower claims
KPMG has been referred to the national corruption watchdog, with Greens Senator Barbara Pocock calling the federal government's three-month pause on new contracts with the auditor a “slap on the wrist with a stick of limp celery”.
Energy & Natural Resources
Inpex reaches deal with unions after losing bid to block Ichthys action
Japanese company Inpex has reached a workplace agreement with two unions, after the Fair Work Commission rejected the company’s urgent bid to halt industrial action at its Darwin Ichthys onshore and offshore LNG facilities.
