Special

The Queensland government is facing a possible union challenge to a proposed new construction code, with the union voicing concerns about how the state rules would interact with federal obligations.

Victorian businesses are seeing red over the state government's proposed law to allow employees to work from home two days a week and make employers cover the reasonable costs of the arrangement.

Former One Nation politician Mark Latham wants the High Court to overturn a ruling that found he defamed independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich in a homophobic tweet and owes $140,000 in damages, saying the Full Court erred in construing the threshold for serious harm.

A new ban on unfair trading practices could significantly broaden the scope of consumer class actions, with experts predicting plaintiff firms will use the reforms to pursue claims over conduct that has until now fallen outside the reach of misleading or deceptive conduct laws.

Telstra could face a multimillion dollar fine from the telco regulator and a class action investigation after Wednesday's nationwide outage that affected over 600 emergency calls and downed the EFTPOS network.

Counsel assisting Queensland's inquiry into the CFMEU is pushing for a new construction code of practice and independent regulator, saying time is of the essence with the government poised to spend $7.1 billion for construction projects for the 2032 Olympic Games. 

Competition lawyers are watching with interest to see if Coles appeals the ACCC's decision to block its proposed acquisition of a leasehold interest in a site in Kalgoorlie, with a tribunal review to provide a valuable early test of the new merger regime.

Allens has welcomed a globally recognised climate change lawyer and her team of four to the firm, amid an expected uptick in greenwashing and directors' duty claims. 

Engineering services firm Worley might win the High Court's leave to appeal its loss in a shareholder class action despite the justices delving into many of the same issues raised in cases against the Commonwealth Bank, experts tell Lawyerly.

Online betting platform Bet365 has avoided court action by entering into a court enforceable undertaking with AUSTRAC requiring it to overhaul its systems.