Naomi Wootton

Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart could be on the hook for millions of dollars in royalty payments, in a long-running battle over lucrative iron ore mining tenements in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

The High Court has thrown out Victoria's $4,970 cap on political donations months ahead of the next state elections, finding the law is unconstitutional and unlawfully benefits the major parties.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart is on the hook for royalties payable to the heirs of iron ore pioneers Don Rhodes and Peter Wright, a judge has held in a long-running battle over lucrative tenements in the Pilbara region.

A judge has asked for more information on why he should approve $43.1 million in legal fees in a class action against AMP that settled for $120 million, calling the amount "extraordinary" and "troubling".

Dairy giant a2 Milk has agreed to cough up $62 million to settle a consolidated shareholder class action over a 2021 guidance.

The Commonwealth Bank has avoided a separate hearing over its cross-appeal in shareholder class actions that have reached the High Court.

AMP super members are set to receive $60 million in a class action stemming from the banking royal commission, with the average payout being under $100, a judge has heard. 

Online trading platform Plus500 is challenging a court ruling that investors who lost money on highly leveraged contracts for difference can proceed with their class action despite signing arbitration clauses.

The High Court has dismissed appeals brought by Labor politicians Ian Macdonald and Eddie Obeid, and his son Moses Obeid, which challenged their convictions for conspiracy to rig a mining exploration tender.

Labor politicians Ian Macdonald and Eddie Obeid, and his son Moses Obeid have lost their High Court challenges to their convictions for a conspiracy to rig a mining exploration tender.