Author: Stuart Giles

On 23 May 2023, the Victorian Government delivered the State Budget.

Detailed below is a summary of the significant tax measures and a consideration of the announced measures in greater detail.

During the recent 2023 G7 Summit held in Hiroshima, Japan, from 19 to 21 May, several participating countries announced a range of new sanctions and export controls to be imposed on Russia, including the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK).

The recent case of Jamsek v ZG Operations Australia Pty Ltd (No 3) (Jamsek) has clarified the application of the superannuation guarantee (SG) regime to truck drivers.

On 9 May 2023, the Australian Federal Treasurer delivered the Australian Federal Budget for 2023-24 (Budget).

On 9 May 2023, Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the Federal Budget 2023-24.

Detailed below is a summary of the significant tax measures, and a consideration of the announced measures in greater detail.

A version of this article was first published by The DCN in February 2023.

Andrew Hudson, Partner of Customs & Trade at Rigby Cooke Lawyers, recently returned from a two-week visit to the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). This was Andrew’s first substantive trip overseas since the Covid-19 pandemic. It allowed him to reconnect in person with overseas clients and engage with representatives of the Australian and Victorian governments to discuss initiatives and opportunities overseas.

The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (AUKFTA) is set to commence on 31 May 2023, as announced by the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, during his trip to the United Kingdom yesterday.

A version of this article was first published by The DCN in March 2023.

The international supply chain has experienced significant turmoil across the past few years from the combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine and the trade disputes between China and many developed nations.

There are many myths and misunderstandings surrounding Wills and estate planning, which often come from television shows and movies. This can lead to misconceptions and half-truths when people attend to their own estate planning, or when dealing with the estate of a deceased family member or friend.

The Unfair Contract Terms regime (UCT) is intended to prevent businesses with a stronger bargaining position from relying on unfair terms in standard form contracts with consumers and/or small businesses.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers is pleased to announce that six of our esteemed partners across six practice areas have been recognised in the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™.

The types of controls imposed on those in the supply chain who are licensed by the Australian Border Force (ABF) or other government agencies is a contentious topic. There has been extensive commentary on the obligations imposed, and the significant increase in obligations imposed, on licensed customs brokers (LCBs).

Rigby Cooke Lawyers is pleased to announce that Rhodie Anderson, Partner, and our Planning & Environment practice have been recognised for their exceptional work in the Doyle’s Planning & Environment Guides for Victoria, 2023.

A WorkSafe inspector (inspector) visits a workplace if there has been a safety incident resulting in an injury or fatality, or alternatively in the case of a ‘near miss’, where nobody has actually been injured.

A version of this article was first published by AMT Magazine in April 2023.

A version of this article was first published by The DCN in April 2023.

In recent times, the global supply chain has experienced a series of unanticipated strains. The combined effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, shipping congestion, protectionist political actions, lack of product and the conflict in Ukraine caused many in the supply chain to question how global trade may be conducted in the future.

While many people make a Will thinking they can leave their estate assets, including their superannuation benefits, to any person they choose, the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (Act) defines who qualifies to receive a superannuation death benefit following the death of a fund member.

During settlement discussions, it is commonplace for offers and counteroffers to be made between rival parties. While settlement offers are usually reduced to writing in a letter or formal Offer of Compromise, they are often communicated verbally or via email. These seemingly ‘less formal’ modes of communication can create a situation where one party asserts that a legally enforceable settlement agreement has been made, while the other says it has not.

A version of this article was first published by The DCN in March 2023.

The international supply chain has experienced significant turmoil across the past few years from the combined and simultaneous effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine and the trade disputes between China and many developed nations.

There has been an increase in investigations by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) into superannuation guarantee compliance within the transport and logistics industry.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers is pleased to announce that Sam Eichenbaum, Senior Consultant, and our Workplace Relations practice have again been recognised in the Doyle’s Employment Guides for Victoria, 2023.

Case note: Airmaster Corporation Pty Ltd v Mohtadi [2022] VSC 822

Two frequently asked questions we receive from our clients with respect to superannuation are:

Over the past years, the issue of sanctions globally has come to the forefront of public and government discussion largely due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Many businesses that had never previously encountered the issue were forced to deal with sanctions compliance matters.

On 16 December 2022, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus announced the federal government’s plan to abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and replace it with a new administrative review body. The reasons for the proposed abolition were that the AAT had become too politicised through politically motivated appointments of AAT members, which rendered the tribunal dysfunctional.

A version of this article was first published by The DCN in February 2023.

The Australian Federal Parliament has been busy with several critical issues since coming into office in the second half of 2022, including the introduction of new legislation which will be of interest to many in the Customs & Trade, and Transport industries.

A version of this article was first published by The DCN in January 2023.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is enormously difficult. It is even more difficult when there is an issue regarding the potential decline in the cognitive function of that loved one.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers’ Corporate & Commercial group advised hotel investor and developer, Mazen Tabet and the Tabet Group, in the successful acquisition of the Lyall Hotel and Spa in South Yarra.

The European Commission recently passed legislation that will establish a framework for a trade single window (TSW), which raises the question ‘what is Australia doing?’

A version of this article was first published by The DCN in December 2022.

An attorney appointed to manage the financial and legal affairs of a principal has legislative duties they must adhere to. When an attorney breaches these duties and causes financial loss to the estate of the principal, what actions can be taken?

The Australian and Indian governments have confirmed that they have completed all necessary domestic ratification processes and that the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) will enter into force on 29 December 2022.

A discretionary trust, more commonly known as a ‘Family Trust’ is a common investment vehicle used by families and family business owners around Australia to hold assets or to run their family business.

On 27 October 2022, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 (Bill) was introduced into Federal Parliament and was amended on 9 November 2022. The Bill is complex and contains the most extensive proposed changes to the Industrial Relations/Workplace Relations system since the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) was introduced in 2010. If passed, it will have significant implications for employers of all sizes, across all industries.

It has been a busy few weeks in the Australian Federal Parliament. The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) issued its reports on proposed treaty action for the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (AUKFTA) on 16 November 2022, and for proposed treaty action for the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI–ECTA) on 18 November 2022.

A version of this article was first published by The DCN in November 2022.

There is now less than 12 months to review your business’s standard-form contracts for unfair contract terms (UCTs) to avoid contravention of the Australian Consumer Law in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

A recent decision of the High Court of Australia has confirmed that members of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) can make binding death benefit nominations (BDBNs) which do not have to be witnessed, and do not expire or lapse, subject to the terms of the trust deed of their SMSFs.

We are delighted to announce that Rigby Cooke Lawyers has renewed its support of the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL) as its exclusive legal services Corporate Partner for a further two years.

A version of this article was first published by The DCN in November 2022.

With 2022 almost at an end, there are already a few issues arising for licensed customs brokers and freight forwarders going into 2023.

On 27 October 2022, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 (the Bill) was introduced into Federal Parliament. The Bill is complex and contains the most extensive proposed changes to the Industrial Relations/Workplace Relations system since the Fair Work Act was introduced in 2010. If passed, it will have significant implications for employers of all sizes, across all industries.

The key changes relate to enterprise bargaining, pay equity, sexual harassment, flexible work arrangements, fixed term contracts, and various other changes.

This Bill is currently in the Parliamentary process and may be subject to change after further consultation and debate.

Provided below is a summary of the proposed changes outlined in the Bill and the Respect@Work Bill, as well as the new Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave Act.

On 25 October 2022, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the Budget of the newly elected Government for 2022-23.

Currently, there is significant work being conducted around the world aimed at modernising and facilitating trade. Part of that work includes attempts to ‘digitise’ the process by moving away from the use of paper-based trading documents in the supply chain and the adoption of ‘blockchain’ processes.

The Federal Court’s recent landmark decision in ASIC v RI Advice Group Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 496¹ raises the bar for companies and directors on the importance of adequate cybersecurity protection after it imposed costly remedial orders on a financial services provider for failing to maintain adequate cybersecurity risk management systems.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers is pleased to announce that Partner Rachael Grabovic, Special Counsel Christian Teese and our Wills, Trusts & Estates team have again been recognised in the Doyle’s Wills & Estates Guides for 2022.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers is delighted to announce the promotions of Angela Foudoulis and Séamus Ryan to Special Counsel, effective 1 July 2022.

We are delighted to share the news that our Workplace Relations team has recently been appointed by the Victorian Transport Association (VTA) to provide a workplace and industrial relations advisory service to members of the VTA and the Australian Road Transport Industrial Association (ARTIO).