1 July 2019 – What’s new in the law?

There are many changes to the laws and regulations commencing over the next 6 months. Here we summarise some of those key changes: PROPERTY Some lucky buyers will no longer have to pay stamp duty on properties purchased in the ACT. Stamp duty has been abolished on properties sold in the ACT from 1 July …
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Through to the keeper: Do you know your sporting organisation’s privacy obligations?

Despite being 30 years old, organisations can still be confused about their obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). Whether the Privacy Act even applies can be a minefield for sporting organisations such as sporting clubs, gyms, and governing bodies. Unfortunately, ignorance of the law excuses no one, and fines for a breach of the …
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Sport Integrity Australia – A New and Unified Approach to Tackling Threats to Australian Sport

The Federal Government has recently established a national sports integrity commission to act as a single platform for coordinating Australia’s response to sport integrity threats across all jurisdictions. Doping, match-fixing and corruption will be targeted by the soon-to-be-formed Sport Integrity Australia. The commissions will also provide policy and program support to smaller and emerging sports. …
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The ACT’s Reportable Conduct Scheme – The role of the Employer in the investigation process

If the reportable conduct scheme applies to your organisation in the ACT, you have a mandatory obligation to respond to reportable allegations. Below we have listed the key tasks of the Employer who receives a reportable allegation under the ACT’s Reportable Conduct Scheme. This list is provided for general guidance only and as the scheme …
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CLAIMS OF SPORTING NEGLIGENCE TAKEN FOR A RIDE

Often, when deep in sporting contract negotiations, provisions regarding compensation for injury are often overlooked by players and sporting organisations alike. However, a recent decision by the NSW Court of Appeal will likely see such discussions elevated back up the negotiation agenda. In Goode v Angland [2017] NSWCA 311, the Court considered whether section 5L …
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Rugby Fractures

Western Australian Rugby Union v Australian Rugby Union Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1174 Such is the level of fracture amongst various members of the Australian rugby fraternity, even Hammerschlag J opined in dismissing the appeal by Western Australian Rugby Union against the decision of an independent arbitrator to uphold their axing by the Australian Rugby Union …
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Brumbies into 2017

Opinion Piece – Peter J McGrath As the new year is upon us, I thought it would be an appropriate opportunity to give an update on the activities at the Brumbies. As we move into another important year in the history of the organisation, I was generally hoping that things would be more positive, and …
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Sharapova Vs Essendon

On 4 October 2016, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), issued a decision reducing the suspension given by an Independent Tribunal of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), to Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova for committing an anti-doping violation. The CAS reduced Sharapova’s suspension from two years down to fifteen months, after finding that she …
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