June 2011

  • Same sex Will dispute

    Posted by Christina Jones

    The Victorian Supreme Court is currently overseeing what appears to be the first same sex Will dispute in Victoria. The trial continues in front of Associate Justice Lansdowne where Juanito Estrella is seeking provision out of the estate of his alleged partner Leon Wesley George Robins.

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  • Changes to Minimum Award Rates

    Posted by Stephen Curtain
    From 1 July 2011 the following changes take place: 
    • Minimum award rates increased by 3.4%
    • National minimum wage increased to $589.30 per week ($15.51 per hour)
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  • ANTSIS Study Expenses

    Posted by

    Following a recent High Court relating to the deductibility of education expenses against Youth allowance income the Australian Taxation Office is amending Tax Assessments for the years ending 30th of June 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 to allow for an automatic deduction of $550 for those in receipt of Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY income. 

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  • Public Acquisition Overlays and Compulsory Acquisitions - When do you get legal advice?

    Posted by Anton Dunhill

    Once the acquisition process commences, an Acquiring Authority usually gives you advance notice of its intention to do so. In our experience, the earlier we are engaged in the process, the better placed you are to make the right choices and ensure you receive full compensation.

    The cost of obtaining advice is usually covered by the Acquiring Authority, which means you are generally not out of pocket for your legal, valuation and other expert advice. We are happy to discuss this with you prior to engaging us to represent you.

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  • Merger of AMP Limited and AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd

    Posted by

    On 30 March 2011, AXA merged with AMP.

    AXA ordinary shareholders received 0.73 fully-paid ordinary shares in AMP and $2.5464 cash for each ordinary share they held on 16 March 2011.

    AXA also paid a final unfranked dividend of 9.25 cents per ordinary share.

    The market value of each AMP share received by AXA shareholders is $5.32.

    Are there any tax consequences for me?

     

    There are three consequences:

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  • PAOs and Compulsory Acquisitions - What should a Landowner or Tenant do?

    Posted by Anton Dunhill

    Both tenants and land owners have rights under the legislation relating to compulsory acquisitions and planning overlays. It is imperative that you engage lawyers and consultants experienced in the compulsory acquisition and planning overlay process to assist you in obtaining appropriate compensation. These processes are covered by unique legislative regimes which do not follow standard property and conveyancing law practices.

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