Insights Categories: Governance, Regulation & Compliance

On 20 September 2017, the Insurance in Superannuation Working Group (ISWG) released a draft Insurance Code of Practice for Superannuation Trustees (Code). The objective of the proposed Code is to improve the insurance in superannuation offered to fund members and to regulate group insurance in superannuation, particularly its automatic issuance on an opt-out basis. The […]

Overview: The Commonwealth Government’s 2017–2018 Budget initiatives released on 9 May will target three principal regulatory components in the financial services sector over the short and longer term, in particular: reforms to dispute resolution capturing financial services, superannuation, trustee services, banking, finance and insurance expanding the powers of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) relating […]

In late February 2016, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released its annual Compliance and Enforcement Policy and announced its enforcement priorities for 2016. Health and medical sectors remain a continuing priority this year. The ACCC has indicated that it will continue with investigations to ensure health service providers comply with their obligations under […]

Julie Somerville, Principal at Meridian Lawyers, comments on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) renewed enforcement priorities and the implications for professionals with an online presence, including health service providers. While social media and the internet of things offer new ways to interact with clients, they also carry new risks, such as statutory breaches and […]

Meridian Lawyers has assisted the National Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) in a major overhaul of its constitution and restructure of its corporate status. NAPSA aims to be the voice of Australian pharmacy students, representing the interests of 3,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students studying pharmacy at 18 universities across Australia. Prior to instructing Meridian, NAPSA took […]

Case scenario: Dr Blog recently revamped the clinic’s website. He engaged a marketing company to perform the task, and was largely guided by their suggestions on how best to draw business to the clinic. The website contained statements from the clinic’s patients about their favourable treatment experience. The website also contained a link through to […]

Since 1998 the mandatory Franchising Code of Conduct has been the key instrument regulating the conduct of franchises in Australia, as prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). A new Franchising Code of Conduct was made public on 3 November 2014 (“new Code”). The implementation of the new Code will be the most […]

The evolution of digital media means that when incorrect material is published the publisher has additional means available to minimise the harm caused – namely take it off the website and/or publish a timely update. By extension, a failure to do this adds to the damage caused. The Times debacle At the end of last […]

The 3rd edition of the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations was released on 27 March 2014 with revisions aimed at the latest developments in corporate governance. What are the Principles and Recommendations? The ASX Listing Rules require ASX listed companies to disclose their corporate governance practices by reference to the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s […]