April 2011

  • You can’t give what you don’t have – Will drafting for those who have a lot but own little

    Posted by Christina Jones
    It is becoming more and more common for people to hold assets in various entities rather than in their own name. Many properties and investments are held in family trusts, companies or within self managed superannuation funds.
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  • Superannuation death benefits

    Posted by Christina Jones
    Australia now has around $1.3 trillion dollars invested in superannuation, and the total keeps growing. According to statistics produced by the superannuation regulator Australian Prudential Regulation Authority over the 12 month period ending December 2010 there was an increase in superannuation assets of 7.7%.
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  • Regional Rail Link Compulsory Acquisitions Proceed

    Posted by Anton Dunhill
    It has been widely reported in the media that the Regional Rail Link acquisition process is now proceeding.
     
    As part of the compulsory acquisition process a large number of properties were acquired and the acquisition was published in the Government Gazette on 13 April 2011.
     
    As of 13 April, the authority owns the property and is required to make an offer of compensation within 14 days.
     
    If your property has been gazetted, you may have either already received a Notice of Acquisition or you will very soon.
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  • Changes to the Australian Consumer Laws - Part 9 - The ACCC’s new range of enforcement power

    Posted by Stephen Curtain
    A number of changes have been made to the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (TPA) as Australian Consumer Law (ACL) reforms have been progressively implemented, with the final portion commencing on 1 January 2011.
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  • Changes to the Australian Consumer Laws - Part 8 - Single national product safety regime

    Posted by Stephen Curtain
    A number of changes have been made to the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (TPA) as Australian Consumer Law (ACL) reforms have been progressively implemented, with the final portion commencing on 1 January 2011.
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  • Compulsory acquisition process hits the bottom line on regional rail link

    Posted by Andrew Blogg
    The State Government yesterday announced a cost blow-out on the proposed development of the Regional Rail Link.
     
    While there was a fair amount of political spin in the announcement, it is clear one of the areas hitting hard is that of land acquisition for the rail link.
     
    Transport Minister Terry Mulder said he expected an extra bill of between $700m and $1.1b to cover the compulsory acquisition of the land required for the project, which will now also take an extra two years to complete.
     
    Aitken Partners'
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  • Changes to the Australian Consumer Laws - Part 7 - Mandatory reporting requirements

    Posted by Stephen Curtain
    A number of changes have been made to the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (TPA) as Australian Consumer Law (ACL) reforms have been progressively implemented, with the final portion commencing on 1 January 2011.
    Read more

  • Changes to the Australian Consumer Laws - Part 6 - Unfair contract terms

    Posted by Stephen Curtain
    A number of changes have been made to the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (TPA) as Australian Consumer Law (ACL) reforms have been progressively implemented, with the final portion commencing on 1 January 2011.
    Read more