In the media
Appointment of new Sex Discrimination
Commissioner
The Attorney-General has announced the appointment of Ms Kate
Jenkins as Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner for a
term of five years (11 February 2016).
More...
New obligation to report breaches of data
security
If the Privacy Amendment (Notification of Serious Data
Breaches) Bill 2015 released in December goes through, most
private sector entities with a turnover above $3 million and
government agencies will be required to notify 'serious data
breaches' to each affected individual and the Australian
Information Commissioner. Submissions on this Bill are due 4 March
(08 February 2016).
More...
New Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner
appointed
One of the State's most distinguished police officers will head
up the proposed Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC),
Racing Minister Grace Grace announced today (13 February 2016).
More...
CFMEU boss Michael Ravbar in new corruption
probe
Construction union leader Michael Ravbar is being investigated by
the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission for allegedly using
police contacts to get sensitive information about a union
organiser (08 February 2016).
More...
Referendum for fixed four-year terms
The Palaszczuk Government has requested the Governor's approval
to issue the writ for the referendum for fixed four-year terms for
Queensland's Legislative Assembly (05 February 2016).
More...
BAQ Supports National Legal Assistance Funding
Campaign
The Bar Association of Queensland has announced its support for the
National Legal Assistance Funding Campaign, launched by the Law
Council of Australia (02 February 2016).
More...
Queensland Law Society welcomes Federal Circuit Court
judge for Rockhampton
Queensland Law Society president Bill Potts welcomes the
announcement by the Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George
Brandis QC, that Judge Anne Demack has been appointed as a Federal
Circuit Court judge based in Rockhampton (02 February 2016).
More...
Welcomed support for domestic violence
victims
Queensland Law Society has welcomed the Queensland Government's
announcement of an extra $3.7 million in funding over five years
for local domestic violence support services (01 February 2016).
More...
Queensland Law Society supports national campaign on
legal assistance
Queensland Law Society has added its voice to a national campaign,
drawing attention to a crisis in legal aid and legal assistance
services around the country (01 February 2016).
More...
In practice and courts
CMC: Local government candidates urged to conduct honest
campaigns
The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) and the Local Government
Association of Queensland have teamed-up to urge candidates for the
2016 local government election to run honest campaigns (08 February
2016).
More...
Cases
Power Grid Cables Pty Ltd v Endeavour Energy
[2016] NSWSC 34
INJUNCTIONS - Interlocutory injunctions – whether status quo
can be preserved pending trial – expedited hearing ordered
since interim relief not practical. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW –
whether decision by state-owned corporation to remove items from
approved materials list is an administrative decision which
attracts requirements of procedural fairness. PRACTICE AND
PROCEDURE – transfer of proceedings – "special
federal matter". Competition and Consumer Act 2010
(Cth), ss 46, 47; Electricity Supply Act 1995 (NSW), ss
26, 31.
More...
CKI Utilities Development Pty Ltd v Australian
Energy Regulator [2016] FCA 17
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – application for judicial review of a
decision of the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) – AER
determination that a pricing proposal is deficient under cl 6.18.8
of the National Electricity Rules (NER). ENERGY AND RESOURCES
– Distribution Network Service Provider discretion in
defining tariff classes – where pricing proposal includes
tariff subclasses – where pricing proposal includes a
"solar tariff" subclass for customers with
micro-generation facilities – where pricing proposal includes
a "social tariff" subclass for customers identified as
hardship customers – whether the NER recognise the existence
of tariff subclasses – application of the protective
principles of cl 6.18.4(a) of the NER – equal treatment of
retail customers with a similar connection or usage profile –
comparison of similarity or dissimilarity of customer load profiles
– use of competing expert evidence to demonstrate
unreasonableness – treatment of retail customers with
micro-generation facilities no less favourable than retail
customers without such facilities but with a similar load profile
– where there is an economically efficient rationale for
tariff classes – role or responsibility of a Distribution
Network Service Provider for the determination of policy.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – requirement that the AER approve a
pricing proposal if the AER is satisfied in accordance with cl
6.18.8 – whether an onus to demonstrate dissimilarity of load
profiles was imposed – where it was open to the applicants to
provide the information they considered would satisfy the AER. More...
Legislation
Subordinate Legislation as made –
29/01/2016
No 3
Referendums Regulation 2016.
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.
