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Lawyers welcome vicarious liability law reform after High Court decision
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.
Construction PRO
BCA calls for private partnerships, end to red tape as part of infrastructure reform
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.
Construction PRO
Minister Watt won’t split proposed overhaul of environment laws
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.
Victoria Supreme Court gets on the fast track with new expedited trial list
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.
Construction PRO
Companies to face higher penalties under proposed environment laws
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”.
Queensland defamation bill to shield social media, boost court powers
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.
KWM’s head of competition named new ACCC commissioner
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.
ASIC sues Fiducian Group over ESG representations
Looking to continue its hot streak of successful anti-greenwashing cases, the corporate regulator has taken Fiducian Investment Management to court over allegedly misleading representations about its ESG fund.
Hall Chadwick NSW failed to prevent auditor rotation breaches: ASIC
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has accepted court-enforceable undertakings from Hall Chadwick NSW and three of its auditors after finding the firm’s systems failed to detect breaches of auditor rotation requirements. 
Government to require crypto exchanges to hold financial services licence
Cryptocurrency exchanges will be required to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence under proposed legislation announced by assistant treasurer Dr Daniel Mulino.