Legal Alert

From 1 January 2026, the new mandatory merger control regime came into effect.  This means that businesses must notify the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of certain acquisitions that meet notification thresholds and wait for the ACCC’s approval before completing the transaction. Where the ACCC does not approve the acquisition, businesses must not complete […]

The Queensland Commission of Inquiry into alleged misconduct by the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) begins today, with observers intrigued at how far its reach will extend. The Inquiry will investigate the CFMEU’s dealings across major infrastructure projects, its financial practices, labour arrangements, and relationships with related parties. With the power to compel

This alert was written by Partner, Fiona Sears, Partner Justin McInally, and Senior Associate, Isaac Day. On 16 September 2025, the Queensland Parliament introduced the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Dismantling Illegal Trade) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (Bill). The Bill brings in a raft of reforms to the existing tobacco laws in Queensland

In a significant ruling for class action practice in Australia, the High Court has unanimously held that the Federal Court cannot approve Solicitors’ Common Fund Orders (Solicitors’ CFOs) at the time of settlement or judgment where doing so would breach State laws prohibiting contingency fees. This overturns the Full Federal Court’s earlier decision, which had

On 1 July 2025, a number of important changes impacting the employment law landscape came into effect. Bronte Jackson, Associate and Ariane Hogno, Graduate set out some of the key changes below. National Minimum Wage On and from 1 July 2025, the National Minimum Wage and the national minimum award wages will be increased by

From 1 July 2025, the skilled visa income thresholds will increase by 4.6% to align with the changes to the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings. The indexation changes will apply to the following applications: The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) This will increase from $73,150 to $76,515. The CSIT impacts nomination applications in the

This article was written by Managing Partner, Sam McIvor, and Associate, Bronte Jackson In a landmark decision, the High Court of Australia confirmed psychiatric injuries can lead to damages for employees in cases of breach of contract, overturning the previous position that such injuries were not compensable. Case background The case involved a former employee

Yesterday’s Federal Election Budget announced, among other things, a ban on foreign persons buying established dwellings effective for two years from 1 April 2025 . This means that lenders should immediately assess the level of due diligence undertaken when making a loan and identify instances where it will be illegal for the Borrower to use

The new Skills in Demand Visa (SID Visa) will replace the TSS Visa from 7 December 2024, creating clearer pathways to permanent residency for skilled workers. With tailored pathways for highly skilled professionals, core skills occupations, and essential roles, these reforms are designed to address workforce shortages and improve mobility for visa holders.