2016
What is a nominations committee ?
A nomination committee’s role is to guide and advise the board of a company on matters relating to the composition, structure and operation of its board, as well as matters relating to the selection of senior executives. The main function of a nomination’s committee is to weaken the traditional strongholds within an organisation, when it …
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Excessive surchages come at a cost
Following the enactment of the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Payment Surcharges) Act 2016, businesses should be aware of new restrictions in imposing payment surcharges on customers. This amendment to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (CCA) essentially bans ‘excessive’ surcharges on credit and debit card payments in transactions. This is intended to limit surcharges …
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IP Australia fee changes commence October 2016 – What do you need to know?
Earlier this year, IP Australia conducted an extensive review of its fee structure in consultation with various stakeholders. The results of this review are now finalised and IP Australia has announced that new fees will apply from 10 October 2016. The changes to trade mark fees may be significant to current trade mark owners, and …
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Trade Mark Now the Least of Dick Smith’s Issues After Mite-y Long Battle Ends in Federal Court
On 11 February 2016, the Federal Court handed down its judgment in the case of Dick Smith Investments Pty Ltd v Ramsey [2016] FCA 939. The decision marked the end of the latest chapter in the trade mark battle between Dick Smith’s OzEmite and AussieMite. While this dispute has been in the media through its …
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Board Meeting Minutes – Take a Minute to Find Out Your Obligations
Minutes are a physical record of decisions made and actions agreed upon in a meeting, and are often relied upon for future reference. The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Act) states that “a minute that is so recorded and signed is evidence of the proceeding, resolution or declaration to which it relates, unless the contrary …
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Estate Planning for Foreign Assets
It is now becoming more common for people who live in Australia to have assets overseas. If you own assets overseas it is important to be aware that each jurisdiction has its own legal system and tax laws. You should not assume that the succession laws and tax regimes you are familiar with in Australia …
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Brumbies in Crisis
At what point does it become obvious that an organisation is in crisis and that urgent action is required. The litany of governance issues which have beset the Brumbies organisation in the last 12 months reads like a fiction story. That these are real events in the history of a great organisation is a demonstration …
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How far is too far? Protecting the Privacy of Australians during the 2016 Census
With the census just around the corner many privacy advocates are questioning the motives of the Australian Bureau of Statistic (ABS), in not only collecting but also storing personal data. Recent revelations that the ABS has already used census data for more than just administrative purpose, has raised concerns about the security of the personal …
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Commonwealth Reporting Requirements for Property Transactions in New South Wales
From 1 July 2016 it is a requirement of the Office of State Revenue to collect and report on transfers of freehold or leasehold interests in real property in New South Wales to the Commissioner of Taxation. The purpose of the reporting is twofold. Firstly, to establish a National Register of Foreign Ownership of Land …
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Why should I register my lease?
There is no denying that entering in to a new commercial or retail lease can be a costly and time consuming exercise for both the tenant and landlord. Once negotiations and signing of the lease are out of the way, further costs may arise in order to register a lease over the title of the …
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