ASIC has released updated guidance clarifying how companies and registered schemes can conduct virtual and hybrid shareholder meetings, reinforcing that shareholders attending meetings virtually must have an equal opportunity to participate.
Read MoreEarlier this year, the ACCC conducted a sweep of more than 2,000 Australian retail websites and found that some businesses had return policies and website terms and conditions that potentially contravened the law.
The ACCC issued several warnings to businesses to change their policies, terms and conditions.
Read MoreNot-for-profits entities with an ABN which are eligible to self-assess as income tax exempt will be required to submit an annual self-review return with the ATO, commencing from the 2024 income year. The 2024 annual self-review return must be lodged by 31 October 2024.
The new reporting regime was introduced to enhance integrity in the tax system and ensure that only eligible NFPs are entitled to income tax exemption.
Read MoreA cumulative fine of $33.5 million and criminal convictions and fines imposed on the CEOs have been recently handed down by the Federal Court following criminal cartel conduct.
Read MoreFrom 9 November 2023, changes to the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) will impose heavy penalties on businesses proposing, using, or relying on unfair contract terms in standard form contracts with consumers and small businesses. Businesses need to review their standard form contracts now and remove any unfair contract terms to avoid substantial penalties.
Read MoreOn 14 August 2023, the Federal Court ordered Dell Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of US-based technology provider Dell Technologies Inc, (Dell) to pay a $10 million penalty for making misleading representations on its website about discount prices for add-on computer monitors.
Read MoreA decision by the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales appears to provide certainty for the payroll tax obligations of operators of medical, dental and allied health practices.
It has long been thought that the payments by medical, dental and allied health practices practice to healthcare providers, where structured properly, were not subject to payroll tax. However, this view has proven to be mistaken over the last 4 years, although it has been unclear whether all medical, dental and allied health practices are caught, irrespective of how they structure their arrangements.
Read MoreASIC has provided a stark reminder to directors and officers that they can be held personally liable for company conduct after ASIC commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against 11 current and formers directors and officers of The Star Entertainment Group Limited (Star).
ASIC is seeking penalties which attract a maximum fine of $1.05 million per breach as well as declarations and disqualification orders against the Star directors and officers.
Read MorePeople are coming increasingly aware and concerned about the protection of their personal information. Given the latest cybercrime attacks on Optus and Medibank, the Federal Government is seeking to increase penalties for privacy breaches. Do you know your privacy obligations and do you have the appropriate privacy protections in place?
Read More