John Holland and the CFMEU have voluntarily nixed agreements requiring the construction company to use certain labour hire businesses on two major projects in NSW, after the ACCC raised competition concerns.
The world-first ban on kids accessing social media will extend to online discussion platform Reddit and live-streaming service Kick, and more platforms could be added to the “dynamic” list, which is subject to review by the eSafety commissioner.
The government has tabled a suite of changes to the EPBC Act, including the introduction of a national environment protection agency with the power to make ‘stop work’ orders.
In response to a High Court ruling giving the Catholic Church an out for the actions of its priests, Victoria has vowed to introduce legislation to extend the vicarious liability of institutions, a move welcomed by plaintiff law firms.
The Business Council of Australia has released a report calling for policy reforms to facilitate private sector infrastructure development, including changes to the EPBC Act.
Environment minister Murray Watt has resisted calls to split proposed legislation that would overhaul the country’s environment laws to allow business-friendly parts of the law to move forward first.
The Supreme Court of Victoria has debuted a new expedited case list for the Commercial Court, aimed at fast-tracking urgent cases and those that can be heard in three days or less.
The federal government plans to significantly increase penalties for companies that contravene environment laws as it moves forward with a suite of changes described by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young as “not worth the paper they’re printed on”.
The Queensland government has introduced defamation reforms to bring it in line with other jurisdictions and prevent “forum shopping,” adding a new defence for social media platforms and increasing powers for courts.
After departing the ACCC 25 years ago for private practice, the national head of King & Wood Mallesons’ competition law group has won a five-year appointment as commissioner.