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Government seeks quick win in James Ashby lawsuit over $4.5M legal bill
The federal government is seeking summary judgment in a lawsuit brought by One Nation chief-of-staff James Ashby alleging it took adverse action against him by refusing to foot the bill for nearly $4.5 million in legal costs stemming from a dropped sexual harassment case against former House speaker Peter Slipper.
Clough appeals tax ruling on $15M in cancellation of entitlements
Construction company Clough Limited has appealed a ruling that found it cannot claim over $15 million paid to employees for cancellation of their shares and options as a tax deduction.
FE Sports to pay $350,000 penalty for ‘serious’ resale price maintenance
Brisbane-based sporting goods wholesaler FE Sports has been fined $350,000 for engaging in resale price maintenance that prohibited dealers from advertising certain products for less than the recommended retail price.
ATO wins appeal over $2.3M Auctus R&D tax refund mistake
The Australian Taxation Office has successfully appealed a Federal Court decision finding it could not recover an R&D tax offset refund of around $2.3 million paid to Auctus Resources despite the payment being made by mistake and the mining company admitting it was not entitled to the money.
In win for ACCC, Full Court says vulnerability not essential to proving unconscionable conduct
The Full Federal Court has ruled that unconscionable conduct under the Australian Consumer Law is not confined to exploitation of vulnerable parties, in an "extremely significant" judgment that will extend the reach of the unconscionable conduct provisions and protect a wider swathe of consumers.
Ben Roberts-Smith’s ex-wife will testify that he lied about matters central to defamation case
The former wife of war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith will testify at an upcoming hearing that he lied about matters that are "centrally relevant" to his defamation case against three newspapers, a court has heard.
Can artificial intelligence be named inventor of a patent? Federal Court to rule
The Federal Court is set to determine whether artificial intelligence can be the inventor of a patent, after an AI pioneer filed a challenge to an IP Australia finding that allowing a machine to be considered an inventor would render the Patents Act incapable of "sensible operation".
High Court refuses special leave to Healius in $60M tax refund battle
Health care giant Healius has lost its application to the High Court to challenge a $60 million win for the Australian Taxation Office.
Judge tosses One Nation staffer’s claims against gov’t in Brian Burston sexual harassment case
A judge has dismissed claims brought by a former One Nation staffer against the federal government accusing it of being liable for former senator Brian Burston's alleged sexual harassment, finding that the terms of her unfair dismissal settlement barred her from bringing sexual harassment allegations againt the Commonwealth.
Judge ‘not following’ government’s argument backing coal expansion in climate class action
The Federal Government has argued a class action against the expansion of a northern NSW mine has "conspicuously failed" to show that the emissions would contribute to "catastrophic harm", but a judge has questioned the Commonwealth's contention that other countries would be responsible for the emissions.