The year’s in full swing, with several big developments just around the corner. The Federal budget is scheduled for 8 May, so we’ll bring you the implications of that in a couple of months. The Cambridge Analytica scandal is still unfolding but it’s likely to bring with it some extra regulation around social media platforms and data gathering activities.
In the meantime, here’s what’s new in Australian legislation and case law for the month of March.
Property
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London, Victorian developers are banned from using Aluminium Cladding Panels with a polyethylene core of more than 30 percent, and expanded polystyrene, on multi-storey buildings.
Relevant to: Property developers and those in the building industry
Employment
Safe Work Australia has launched a national review of the model Work Health and Safety Laws. A discussion paper is viewable at Safe Work Australia, with written submissions invited by 13 April 2018.
Relevant to: Employers and employees who wish to share their opinion on current Work Health and Safety laws.
Taxation
The Government has indicated that it will make significant changes to the laws overseeing stapled and non-stapled structured. This may include:
– A 30% withholding tax on income from cross-stapled structures
– Treating all agricultural land as if it was a trading business
– Expanding the thin capitalisation rules
– Limiting some exemptions for foreign entities and pension funds
Relevant to: Any business that has stapled securities.
Immigration