Employment
Qantas hit with $90M penalty for outsourcing ground crew during COVID-19
A judge has hit Qantas with a $90 million penalty for unlawfully outsourcing its ground crew staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the airline was “the wrong kind of sorry”.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Google to cop $55M penalty for anti-competitive agreements with Telstra, Optus
Google has agreed to pay a $55 million penalty for making anti-competitive agreements requiring Telstra and Optus to pre-install Google Search on Android devices they sold.
Business of Law
‘Dangerous mirage’: Another lawyer referred to watchdog for AI-hallucinated cases
Another solicitor has been reported by a court to the legal watchdog and personally socked with costs for citing non-existent authorities generated by an artificial intelligence program.
Employment
Judge rejects claim MinterEllison coerced potential witness in harassment suit
A judge has rejected claims that MinterEllison acted improperly towards a potential witness in a sexual harassment suit against the WA Department of Justice, saying the firm is entitled to make unsolicited contact with potential witnesses.
Employment
NAB to take $130M hit after discovering staff underpayments
The National Australian Bank says it will take a $130 million hit after issues with its payroll system led to staff being underpaid.
Financial Services
ASIC to seek winding up orders against property developer ALAMMC
The corporate cop can revise its action against Gold Coast property developer ALAMMC to seek winding up orders after concerns have emerged about misuse of $70 million in investor funds.
Class Actions
COVID-19 aged care class actions ramp back up as criminal trial nears
After more than a year on ice, two class actions against age care facilities over COVID-19 outbreaks are set to resume late this year, following a month-long criminal trial that kicks off next week.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
Judge questions OAIC over 3-year delay in bringing Optus case
The judge overseeing three court proceedings against Optus over a 2022 data breach has questioned why it took the privacy regulator three years to file its case.
Class Actions
Court OKs $59M settlement in rate-rigging class action against banks
A judge has signed off on a $59 million settlement in a class action accusing five banks of foreign exchange rate-rigging, while bemoaning the failure of successive attorneys-general to advance reforms clarifying the court’s power to make class closure orders.
Contracts
Metro Cinemas loses case over lease agreement with NSW council
A judge has dismissed a case by Metro Cinemas against a NSW council, finding a lease agreement did not require the council to replace the cinema’s aging seats.
