Our experienced legal team regularly publishes updates on a wide range of topics - you can find all our recent news articles below.
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The Australian Government has announced reforms aimed at increasing philanthropic funding to charities. The changes focus on Giving Funds (currently referred to in the tax law as ancillary funds) and form part of the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission’s Future Foundations for Giving report and the Not‑for‑profit Sector Development Blueprint.
Read MoreOn 18 December 2025, the Government released significant amendments to the new merger control regime through the Competition and Consumer (Notification of Acquisitions) Amendment (20205 Measures No.1) Determination 2025 (Determination). These changes affect when businesses must notify the ACCC of acquisitions and introduce a range of new exemptions and updated thresholds under the new merger control regime which came into force on 1 January 2026, with some changes commencing on 1 April 2026.
Read MoreASIC has stopped displaying directors’ residential addresses in public company extracts. A positive step for privacy, but an easy one to misinterpret.
Directors still need to keep their address details accurate with ASIC. If the address is wrong, the risk of missing critical correspondence remains unchanged.
A small regulatory tweak, but one with practical flow‑on effects for compliance and contracting processes.
Read MoreOn 15 October 2025, the Federal Government announced proposed changes to the new mandatory Merger Control Regime commencing on 1 January 2026.
Under the current framework, failure to properly comply with the new mandatory Merger Control Regime will automatically void a transaction. The Government has indicated that it plans to amend these automatic voiding provisions while still maintaining incentives for compliance with the mandatory notification requirements.
Read MoreAustralia’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.
Read MoreOur 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.
Read MoreWe are thrilled to announce the promotion of Dean Schubert to Partner at Brown Wright Stein, effective today, 1 July 2025.
Read MoreAs the pressure of the end of financial year abates, it's crucial to not overlook significant workplace changes commencing today, 1 July 2025.
Read MoreASIC 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.
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