As published in CK Momentum Issue 3 (Click here to download) In December 2013, the Government announced its intention to replace the GST free treatment for the supply of both going concerns and farming businesses with a 'reverse charge' mechanism. The scheme was...
Contract Negotiation Pitfalls
Everyone wants a degree of flexibility in their commercial position during contract negotiations; to give a little here and hopefully gain something there. However, sometimes preserving a position can result in there being no binding contract between the parties. This...
Reform of QBCC Act
Allana Agnew, an Associate in our Litigation and Insolvency team, attended a Discussion Evening held by the Building Dispute Practitioners Society in August 2014. Presenting at the Discussion Evening was the new Chairman of the Board and Commissioner of the Queensland...
Land Sales and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014 Passed by Parliament
The development and real estate industries have welcomed the passing of the Land Sales and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014 ("the Act") by Parliament with amendment on 9 September 2014. The Act amends the Land Sales Act 1984 (Qld) (“LSA”), the Body Corporate and...
PROPERTY IN QUEENSLAND: Asbestos Register
As published in CK Momentum Issue 3 (Click here to download) Recent changes to the law amended the requirement for all commercial premises built before 31 December 2003 that are used as a workplace to maintain an asbestos register. The requirement to keep an asbestos...
PROPERTY IN QUEENSLAND: Introduction of the Land Sales and Other Amendment Bill 2014 in Queensland Parliament
As published in CK Momentum Issue 3 (Click here to download) The Queensland Government has introduced further amendments to property legislation, specifically for the sale of off-the-plan lots, which will be of significant benefit to property developers. Legislation...
Tips & Traps for Adjudication Under BCIPA
As published in CK Momentum Issue 3 (Click here to download) The Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 (“BCIPA”) regime is intended to be an efficient and reasonably low cost method for contractors and subcontractors to ensure payments are made to...
PPSR UPDATE: Failure to Register on the PPSR Could Cost One Company $50 Million
In February 2014, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited ("ANZ") appointed KordaMentha Pty Ltd ("KordaMentha") as receivers and managers of the mining services firm, Forge Group Limited ("Forge"). Forge had secured debts of approximately $500 million,...
Legal Risks of Social Media
As published in CK Momentum Issue 3 (Click here to download) In an article profiling a social media consulting business, The Australian recently commented that in 2008, when the business was founded, the number of times the term “social media risk” was searched on...
Changes to BCIPA: What ,When and How it Will Affect Your Business
Proposed amendments to Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 (QLD) ("BCIPA") have been approved by Cabinet and are presently being debated by State Parliament. The changes are likely to come into effect on 1 September 2014. All members of the building...
Forget Physical Property, It’s Now All About Ideas and Intellectual Property
Ruslan Kogan, new addition to the BRW Rich List with an estimated wealth of $315 million was recently quoted in an Australia Financial Review article saying: "In the past it was all about physical property, who owns the land, what capital gains are there on the land,...
Further Property Law Changes: The Sale of Off-the-Plan Lots will be Simplified
The Queensland Government has introduced further amendments to property legislation, specifically for the sale of off-the-plan lots, which will be of significant benefit to property developers. The Land Sales and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (the Bill)...