When the Thailand–Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) was concluded, many dismissed it as largely irrelevant to the day-to-day business decisions of Australian companies in Thailand.

Australia's tourism industry may well be asking international visitors 'where the bloody hell are you?', but it seems international oil and gas companies have had no trouble finding Australia.

In a year of unprecedented law reform to Australia's injury compensation system, there was a widespread perception that the costs of insurance premiums were spiralling out of control.

As we reported in the November 2007 edition of the Privacy Update, submissions in response to the Australian Law Reform Commission's 'Review of Privacy' closed on 7 December 2007.

In the case of Precept Services Pty Ltd v Concrete Equipment Australia (Trading) & Anor [2007] QSC 339, the plaintiff (subcontractor) had given a notice of claim of charge to the second defendant (employer).

The Privacy Protection for Off-shoring Bill 2007 proposes to amend the Trade Practices Act 1974 by regulating the transmission of 'personally identifiable information' for processing outside Australia.

The Privacy (Private Sector) Amendment Regulations 2007 (Cth) will come into force on 1 December 2007.

In Queensland, since the case of JJ McDonald & Sons Engineering Pty Ltd v Gall, decisions of an adjudicator under the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 (Qld) (BCIPA) have been subject to judicial review under the Judicial Review Act 1991 (Qld) (JR Act).

The updated version of Minter Ellison's Integrated FSR Toolkit is now available. It is an essential aid to understanding the financial services regime and includes information up to 30 September 2007.

Last week, the Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No.5) Bill 2008 was introduced into parliament, making good on the Government's promise to restrict the application of the margin scheme on property sales that were previously acquired as a GST-free supply of a going concern or farmland.

Foreign investors in Australia should be aware of recent regulations which have raised the examination thresholds under the country's Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (FATA).

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has produced a Fact Sheet to protect the privacy of individuals who engage in online social networking.

Environmental considerations are key factors affecting business decisions today. Choosing and implementing an environmental rating system can be a complex process so it is important to seek assistance from experienced consultants at all stages.

Article discusses the voluntary framework to disclose material impacts of climate change on performance and prospects.

The Privacy Commissioner recently conducted an investigation into the disclosure of personal information by a private health insurance company, HCF, to McKesson Asia Pacific, a third party involved in the health fund's Helping Hands program.

There is a growing trend towards the use of electronic records and databases for the collection, storage and transfer of health information, and the integration of health information systems to create shared electronic health records.

Arbitrations are a common dispute resolution procedure used by parties for construction disputes.

In New South Wales parties involved in the construction or management of buildings should consider the potential to obtain a credit for green house gas abatement with a NSW greenhouse Gas Abatement Certificate (NGAC).