News Articles

Mandatory Merger Notifications Are Coming

Australia’s new mandatory merger control regime is on the horizon. From 1 January 2026, certain transactions must be notified to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and cleared before completion.

A voluntary opt-in period is now open and runs until 31 December 2025. This is a critical window to plan ahead.

These changes represent the most significant shift in Australian merger control in decades. Proactive planning will be critical to avoid costly delays and surprises.

Compliance & Corporate, Corporate & CommercialLauren CantSeptember 10, 2025Amanda Comelli, Suzanne Howari

How our workplace relations and safety team can help you and your business

Our workplace relations and safety practice group, headed by partners, Peter Wright, a Law Society Accredited Specialist in Commercial and Business Law and Dean Schubert, a Law Society Accredited Specialist in Employment and Industrial Law, provide specialist workplace relations and safety advice to and advocacy on behalf of our clients.

Workplace RelationsLauren CantJuly 21, 2025Dean Schubert, Peter Wright

Growing the team at Brown Wright Stein!

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Dean Schubert to Partner at Brown Wright Stein, effective today, 1 July 2025.

Workplace RelationsLauren CantJuly 1, 2025Dean Schubert, Peter Wright

GOING UP! A new financial year means a set of new numbers for employers

As the pressure of the end of financial year abates, it's crucial to not overlook significant workplace changes commencing today, 1 July 2025.

Workplace RelationsLauren CantJuly 1, 2025Dean Schubert, Peter Wright

Zooming into Compliance: ASIC's Latest Guidance on Virtual Meetings

ASIC has released updated guidance clarifying how companies and registered schemes can conduct virtual and hybrid shareholder meetings, reinforcing that shareholders attending meetings virtually must have an equal opportunity to participate.

ACCC cracks down on misleading refund policies

Earlier this year, the ACCC conducted a sweep of more than 2,000 Australian retail websites and found that some businesses had return policies and website terms and conditions that potentially contravened the law.

The ACCC issued several warnings to businesses to change their policies, terms and conditions.

High risk! AML/CTF Compliance - It's coming for accountants, real estate agents and lawyers!

The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2024 (Bill) has been passed by Parliament. The Bill overhauls Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime, and extends the regime to certain 'high-risk' services provided by lawyers, accountants, trust and company service providers, real estate professionals, and dealers in precious metals and stones.

FinanceLauren CantDecember 9, 2024Charles Cheah, Simon Griesz, Charlotte Galea

Payroll Tax Implications for Arrangements Between Related Companies

A recent case in New South Wales has highlighted an important payroll tax risk for businesses operating through related companies. The decision in Chief Commissioner of State Revenue v E Group Security Pty Ltd (No 2) [2022] NSWCA 259 demonstrates how arrangements within corporate groups can trigger payroll tax liabilities under the Payroll Tax Act 2007 (NSW).

TaxLauren CantOctober 3, 2024Matthew McKee, Marianne Dakhoul

Sporting clubs, community service organisations and charities are in the ATO’s sights - does your sporting club or community service organisation need to lodge an ATO annual return by 1 October 2024?

Not-for-profits entities with an ABN which are eligible to self-assess as income tax exempt will be required to submit an annual self-review return with the ATO, commencing from the 2024 income year. The 2024 annual self-review return must be lodged by 31 October 2024.

The new reporting regime was introduced to enhance integrity in the tax system and ensure that only eligible NFPs are entitled to income tax exemption.

Corporate & CommercialLauren CantApril 30, 2024Rachel Vijayaraj, Imogen Delangre

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