Two Federal Government inquiries tabled their reports shortly prior to Christmas. Included in the recommendations were matters likely to attract the interest of many businesses.

The Federal Government has moved quickly to implement its response to the recent parliamentary inquiries concerning franchising and unconscionable conduct, with amendments to the Code likely to be announced shortly. It is expected the changes will take effect from 1 July 2010 to facilitate efficient amendment to disclosure documents by franchisors with a June 30 financial year.

The Federal Government has recently accepted outright or in principle most of the recommendations in the Wein Report.

Bartier Perry's leadership reflects on the firm's approach to balancing professional legal practice with strategic business management, highlighting recent partner appointments, regulatory changes in AML/CTF compliance, and housing reform initiatives. How does dedicated executive leadership alongside practising partners create a platform for sustainable growth while maintaining focus on exceptional client service?

Franchisors will be familiar with the prohibition on "third line forcing" contained in s47 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (TPA). Third line forcing, where in simplified terms A supplies goods or services to B on the condition that B acquires goods or services from C, is prohibited irrespective of its impact on competition.

The Small Business Commissioner (SA) will be able to prescribe industry codes as regulations to administer them as law.

Report on progress of Franchise laws in WA and SA.

The ACCC has consistently stated that franchisors cannot circumvent the Code by simply claiming that the agreement is not a franchise agreement.

Last week a new Treasury Circular (NSW TC 11/02) was issued clarifying the position with respect to ex gratia payments. The Circular confirms that only Ministers have the authority to approve ex gratia payments in accordance with the Circular. Ministers can do so as representatives of the Crown and the power cannot be delegated.

The article explores the paper on Improving Bankruptcy and insolvency laws, released as part of the Innovation agenda.

The Australian Government has released the long awaited consultation paper on the review of the regulatory framework for managed investment schemes.

Modern photocopiers, scanners and fax machines often contain hard drives which also pose a security threat on disposal.

The anticipated growth in the aged care sector has not gone unnoticed by investors, developers and financial institutions. The wave of baby boomers will begin to enter the retirement living sector this year and its impact for the next 5 years will be, quite literally, phenomenal.

The national accounts released on December 5 showed that the Australian economy grew by 0.5% in the September quarter.

Key economic forecasts released by Treasury from the 2011 Budget. Treasury projections remain very much influenced by the extraordinary resources boom driving record commodity prices and unprecedented levels of investment in mining and energy.

From 18–21 August 2025, the Australian Government (Government) hosted the Economic Reform Roundtable with industry and government leaders to explore reforms aimed at boosting productivity...

In the midst of the current global economic downturn, the Australian Government is providing significant stimulus to the domestic economy by providing some attractive incentives and initiatives for businesses in Australia.

We believe that growth in the non-mining sector is still sufficiently robust to offset the sharp downturn in mining.

As cybersecurity experts, we hope the strategy succeeds so that Australia becomes a world leader in cybersecurity.

The Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison has delivered a Budget that promotes infrastructure spending and a raft of new tax measures, with a headline grabbing bank tax stealing the limelight.