Do you need to review your will in this COVID-19 climate? It is not surprising that the financial uncertainty and personal anxiety caused by COVID-19 have resulted in many people undertaking a review of their estate planning arrangements. Generally, lawyers recommend that clients should review their wills when there is a significant change to their …
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Businesses finally have clarity for the JobKeeper payment scheme, with the Federal Government prescribing new rules for the $1,500 JobKeeper payment. The Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Rules 2020 (Rules) helpfully detail eligibility requirements and conditions of the scheme. The scheme took effect on 9 April 2020 under the Coronavirus Economic Response Package …
Courts are making fast, adaptive changes to civil litigation processes to accommodate social distancing restrictions and protect the health of public workers and the public at large. Notwithstanding the temporary measures in place that allow court processes to continue, parties are being increasingly encouraged to resolve their disputes between themselves where possible. In this climate, …
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Introduction In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, many organisations are trying to implement policies and practices that involve the collection of health information of their staff and visitors to their sites to ensure the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of healthy workplaces. This is an important approach to a public health crisis. However, there are …
Both ASIC and the ASX have introduced a range of temporary measures to assist listed companies in response to COVID-19. Some of the key measures are summarised here. Continuous disclosure ASX does not expect listed entities to make disclosures seeking to predict the impact of COVID-19, noting that entities can continue to rely on the …
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Public concern over coronavirus ‘price gouging’ has continued to grow, with the pandemic creating shortages of essential groceries and medical supplies. Generally, the law allows prices to be set based on market forces of supply and demand, and normally competitive pressure would keep prices down. But even though price gouging is not specifically dealt with …
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted a number of interim authorisations to organisations in particular industries, which allow them to cooperate during the coronavirus pandemic. Ordinarily, competitors cooperating to make decisions is illegal and the antithesis of competition. Authorisations provide statutory permission for organisations to engage in conduct that would ordinarily breach …
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In a Compliance Update released on 31 March 2020, ASX has sought to outline its response to COVID-19 and a number of temporary measures aimed at assisting listed entities. These measures, to a certain degree, support measures previously announced by ASIC. Continuous disclosure obligations ASX has confirmed they do not expect listed entities to make …
WHO SHOULD READ THIS Landlords and tenants of commercial or retail properties in Australia. Particularly those who are about to negotiate upcoming rental payments or take action for a lease default. THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW The National Cabinet have agreed on a national code of conduct to regulate commercial leases during the COVID-19 pandemic …
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Can a retirement village be ’closed off’ to access? The short answer is no. While an Operator is entitled to control the land and facilities it operates, residents have the right to ‘quiet enjoyment’ of their residence, including the right to lawful access. However, residents of all Queensland retirement villages are subject to the Home …
Continue reading “Closing retirement villages to visitors – a no go zone?”
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ensuring business continuity in the time of COVID-19 pandemic: data security risks As Governments implement severe measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are increasingly reliant on remote Internet-connected workforces in order to ensure business continuity. With this shift to remote working, comes heightened data sensitivity risks, including an increase in the likelihood of cyber …
On 22 March 2020, the Federal Government announced the second stage of its economic plan to support Australian businesses and their workers through the unchartered waters created by the spread of the Coronavirus. The stimulus package extends a number of the key measures announced in the first package on 12 March 2020 (see our recent …
Continue reading “Stage Two – Cushioning the economic impact of COVID-19”
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]COVID-19 is significantly impacting industries across Australia, and the nation’s arts and entertainment industry is no exception. In response to this crisis, public gatherings have been prohibited and theatres, cinemas, music festivals, shows and tours have been closed or cancelled indefinitely. Australian film productions are also being postponed. So where does this leave the industry …
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] During these precarious times, landlords and tenants alike should be aware of a number of risk management measures that can be implemented to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their leasing arrangements. Below are a number of items which both landlords and tenants should consider in relation to their leases. Given that …
OVERVIEW Australia saw its first case of COVID-19 on 25 January 2020. Since then, Australia’s interest rate has been cut twice to 0.25%, the lowest in Australia’s history. The AUD has sunk to a 17-year low. The ASX has seen its largest daily percentage fall on record. Australia’s unemployment rate is expected to soar in …
COVID-19 has brought many challenges to the commercial landscape, including the execution of documents when parties may not, because of the requirement to self isolate, be able to receive, sign and exchange hardcopy documents. Electronic execution can be used in many cases so that transactions may progress, however not all documents can be executed electronically. …
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Federal and State Courts have announced adjustments to their usual procedures going forward, but importantly the Courts remain open and are continuing to hear and progress matters. Procedures are in place to minimise face-to-face contact, including remote hearings (by phone or video) wherever possible. There has been some relaxation in relation to signing …
As critical as your business considerations are your personal affairs. It is an important time to take stock of your succession planning so that you and your families can feel confident that they are protected if the worst happens. WILLS AND BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANNING Some of our clients are feeling anxious wondering whether their estate …
The real estate market is rapidly changing as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Consideration of potential disruptions that may be caused by the pandemic should be made for any new property contracts entered into. For buyers or sellers who have entered into contracts for the sale and purchase of land, the uncertainty caused …
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Since COVID-19 became a public health emergency in late January 2020, the continued growth of the pandemic and the associated uncertainty that it generates has impacted upon standard practices and procedures in the planning, environment and local government sectors, much like other areas of life. In response to the economic impacts and social distancing requirements …
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Australian Government is offering wage subsidies to help employers retain their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, and keep employees engaged until the inevitable rebound. Wage relief Eligible businesses (including not-for-profits) who elect to participate in the scheme can expect a wage subsidy of $1,500 per fortnight per eligible employee. The JobKeeper payment is a …
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As Australia grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Aged Care industry is particularly susceptible to its impact, including class actions. COVID-19 class action activity has already commenced with plaintiff law firms circling potential targets. In this publication, we explore why such class actions are likely to arise and what you can do to protect your …
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On 29 March 2020 the Treasurer announced drastic changes to the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) regime in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. While stressing that the changes do not change the fact that Australia is supportive of foreign investment, the Treasurer’s changes will have a significant impact across the whole of Australia’s economy. …
On 24 and 28 March 2020, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) made its first determinations to vary two modern awards (Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010 (Hospitality Award)and Clerks – Private Sector 2010 (Clerks Award)) in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the challenges employers are currently facing. It is likely that similar flexibility changes …
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With the prospect of huge numbers of businesses becoming insolvent and collapsing in the coming weeks and months due to the effects of Government-enforced travel bans and business ‘lock-downs’, the Australian Government has implemented a number of important measures to protect directors from Australia’s harsh insolvent trading laws, and to prevent creditors from bankrupting individuals …
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Governments around the world have implemented a wide range of protocols to control the spread of COVID-19 throughout their jurisdictions. The various intellectual property offices have recognised this is an unprecedented situation that may have an impact on the ability of right holders, applicants, opponents and their representatives to meet deadlines associated with their intellectual …
Facebook, Google, and other online platforms are racing to curb advertising content that inappropriately capitalises off the Coronavirus pandemic. With an influx of misinformation hitting social media, the companies are scrambling to stop advertising which exploits the public health emergency. Facebook recently prohibited advertisements that claim to prevent or cure Coronavirus, and those that generate …
Continue reading “Therapeutic Goods Ads Gone Bad: Rules for Industry”
While Coronavirus threatens the health of people around the world, computer hackers have launched a series of attacks threatening our cybersecurity too. Coronavirus-themed scams have been reported, with hackers taking advantage of public fear associated with the virus, and workers’ decreased security due to working from home, to access personal data on victims’ computers. Know …
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To date, there has not been a unified approach between all travel insurers with respect to a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is therefore advisable that, before booking any travel or proceeding with any travel that has previously been booked, you read your travel insurance policy wording to determine if COVID-19 related events are …
Late last week the Federal Government announced a targeted stimulus package to address the financial challenges which result from the national and international spread of COVID-19. The stimulus package has been broken into four parts: supporting business investment; providing cash flow assistance to help SMEs keep business and employees; targeted support for the most affected …
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