GL Insights
A revamped system of federal administrative review
On 7 December 2023, the Australian Government introduced legislation to abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and establish a new review body called the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). These bodies represent the federal system for reviewing decisions made under Commonwealth laws in areas including social security payments, migration, taxation and the NDIS.
Tree Protection Law Changes in the ACT
On 1 January 2024 the Urban Forest Act 2023 (ACT) (the Act) replaces the Tree Protection Act 2005 (ACT), bringing in a number of legislative changes to support sustainable urban forests in the ACT. An urban forest refers to trees located on land in existing built-up and future urban areas.
New Sharing Economy Reporting Regime
The Sharing Economy Reporing Regime (SERR) is a new requirement for platform businesses who provide services or hire personal assets through a website or an app. These businesses are known as electronic distribution platform (EDP) operators. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) states that, under SERR, an EDP is a service that
Australian Government’s 2023 – 2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy
On 22 November 2023, the Australian Government released its 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy aims to realise the Australian Government’s vision of becoming a world leader in cyber security by 2030. The Strategy seeks to protect Australians by improving cyber security, managing cyber risks, and better supporting Australians and organisations to manage …
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Gender Pay Gap Action – Changes in 2024
In March 2023 the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) 2023 Act (‘WGEA’) was passed. These amendments are intended to reduce gender inequality in the workplace, and increase the mandatory reporting obligations for reporting organisations (being those with more than 100 employees) from the 2024 reporting period.
Employment law changes commence
Employment law changes commence: new laws on fixed term contracts and enforcement powers for the positive duty New Rules for Fixed Term Contracts From 6 December 2023 employers should ensure their contract templates and staffing arrangements are appropriate for the new limitations on fixed term contracting introduced by the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, …
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Fair Work Act changes now in effect
Employment law is in a state of flux. There are a number of significant changes which are now in effect. We have set out a brief summary of each of these changes, and encourage you to reach out if your workplace requires assistance in ensuring its policies and procedures are up to date. We can …
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Positive duty guidelines
Alert: AHRC releases guidelines for new positive duty. From 12 December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission will have the power to enforce compliance with the positive duty obligation under section 47(c) of Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth). The positive duty requires organisations and businesses to take ‘reasonable and proportionate measures’ to eliminate, as far …
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The Planning Act 2022 (ACT)
The Planning Act 2022 (ACT) (The Planning Act) came into effect on 20 June 2023, and will replace the Planning and Development Act 2007 (ACT). Provisions with respect to planning strategy, district strategy, technical specifications and transitions have commenced with the remaining provisions to commence in Quarter 4 of 2023. With a goal to deliver …
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Purchasing a property in the ACT – what you need to know about conveyance duty
Conveyance duty or stamp duty is tax that is payable when you purchase a property in the ACT. Conveyance duty is assessed on the dutiable value of the property and the obligation to pay duty is subject to the type of transaction and the circumstances of each buyer. The Duties Act 1999 (ACT) exempts certain …
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