The Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) ("PPSA") is now expected to come into effect in October 2011. All financiers and businesses that supply goods to their customers or distributors, on the basis that they retain title until payment is made, are at risk if they do not appropriately prepare for the PPSA.

The unfair contract provisions under the Trade Practices Amendments (Australian Consumer Law) Act 2010 ("Act") came into force on 1 July 2010. This means that standard form consumer contracts entered into from 1 July 2010 are subject to the unfair contract provisions of the Act.

The first few months of 2010 provides employers with an important opportunity that should not be overlooked - to engage in appropriate risk management and ensure compliance with our new workplace laws.

Property owners and investors need to be familiar with the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) requirements.

Free trade agreements with China, Korea and Japan are getting a lot of attention from Australian exporters.

The ABF has made it clear that the focus will be trade that does not involve a Trusted Trader (Australia's AEO program).

There can be no doubt that the Family Court deals with difficult situations on a daily basis.

The "Go To Jail" card will soon be issued to individuals involved in serious cartel behaviour. The Trade Practices Amendment (Cartel Conduct and Other Measures) Bill 2008 has passed through the Senate and is currently awaiting Royal Assent.

The decision primarily focuses on the responsible lending obligations of payday lender, the Cash Store, under the Act.

APRA has made a number of proposals that affect current exemption orders for religious and charitable funds.

The government has commenced public consultation on exposure draft legislation for a statutory definition of "charity".

Chapter 4 of The Fair Work Bill deals with compliance and enforcement. Through Fair Work Australia, compliance with workplace laws, awards and agreements will be enforced.

Opt-out clauses or individualisation of working conditions may cause FWA refusing to approve an Enterprise Agreement.

These proposed changes to the Fair Work Act represent the Government's initial response to the recent review of the FWA.

The Australian Taxation Office released a new ruling on 13 May 2009 (SGR 2009/2) which makes some significant alterations in relation to employer's requirements to pay superannuation guarantee contributions on certain components of the wage bill.

The Fair Work Principles ("FWPs") are a procurement policy of the Commonwealth government which requires that government suppliers have a particular form of dispute settlement provision ("DSP") in new enterprise agreements. This requirement does not sit comfortably with the Fair Work Act 2009 and could lead to exposure for government entities and their suppliers.

A decision handed down by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 25 August 2008 could bring about the end of urine testing for drugs and alcohol in the workplace in the near future.

The offence of land pollution will be strengthened and made clearer through an amendment to the definition.

The bulk haulage company Alcobell and its director, Mr Campbell, were fined over waste transport and dumping offences.