The .asia TLD will open in an incremental fashion over six phases before it goes 'live' in final form in 2008.

On 14 February 2007, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) released a second consolidated draft of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) Rules (Rules).

Scotty's Premium Pet Foods (Scotty's) in Queensland is the latest scalp in the ACCC's war against franchisors who breach the Franchising Code of Conduct (Code) and the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (TPA).

On 7 December 2006, Parliament passed the Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act). To date, there has been little focus on the ‘employer’ obligations of organisations who are covered by the AML/CTF.

An emissions trading scheme, rather than the previously proposed carbon tax, will be the central platform for implementing New Zealand’s commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and reducing the country's greenhouse gas emissions.

As most parts of the country remain parched in the clutches of one of the most severe droughts on record, there is at least no shortage of water reforms from the Commonwealth and State Governments, as policy makers struggle to achieve better management of this precious resource.

China is the world's largest developing country, the third-largest importer of oil and the largest producer of coal.

With 2008 upon us, the time has come to review our predictions for 2007, and make some new predictions for 2008.

2008 brings with it some major changes for labour related laws and regulations in the People's Republic of China which has important implications for employers.

On 30 March 2008, the Federal Government announced that it will proceed with amendments to the Trade Practices Act 1974 (TPA) relating to component pricing and has released the Trade Practices Amendment (Component Pricing and Other Measures) Bill 2008 (draft Bill) for public comment.

On 18 March 2008 ASIC announced Class Order relief from provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Act) to facilitate the operation of certain share and interest sale facilities.

The Australian Government has taken the first legislative step toward national emission trading by introducing the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Bill 2007 into Federal Parliament on 15 August 2007, that will make it mandatory to report certain emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG).

The Report of the Owen Inquiry into electricity supply in New South Wales, released on 11 September 2007, essentially contained three key messages

Unit title developers, owners and body corporate managers in the ACT face new compliance obligations following recent changes to the territory's Unit Titles Act.

ASIC has given Class Order relief ensuring that non-traditional rights issue structures are covered by the prospectus and PDS disclosure exemption for rights issues.

APRA has released its proposed Basel II approach to margin lending, and draft guidelines for the recognition of external credit assessment institutions (EACIs).

Contents: AUSTRAC Launches Tools For Industry As Important Deadline Arrives; APRA Releases Its Second Consultation Package On Refinements To The General Insurance Prudential Framework; APRA Releases Final Reporting Requirements For Discretionary Mutual Funds;APRA Releases Basel II Prudential Standards; Changes To Life Insurance Prudential Standards

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