The Commonwealth Government has announced temporary amendments to insolvency and bankruptcy legislation in response to the unique challenges facing businesses and individuals during the Coronavirus health crisis. The changes provide bankruptcy and insolvency relief and are made pursuant to the Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Bill 2020 (Cth).

A recent decision in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Re Rainbow Carlingford One Pty Ltd (in liq) [2019] NSWSC 971 has emphasised the amount of evidence required to successfully bring an application to terminate a winding up order under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

MMRB recently acted for a successful applicant of an order under s. 482 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to terminate the winding up of a company.  These applications are difficult, must be brought promptly and require a substantial amount of evidence to satisfy the Court that the orders should be made.

Victoria has become the third Australian jurisdiction with a specific industrial manslaughter offence, joining Queensland and the ACT. A recent Bill passed in the Victorian Parliament has established the criminal offence, with far-reaching implications for employers.

The Victorian Government has made sweeping amendments to the Sale of Land Act 1962 (Vic). The amendments provide additional purchaser protections and restrict the sale of property on ANZAC day.

The Retail Leases Amendment Bill 2019 (VIC) was introduced into parliament at the end of October, which aims to provide further clarity and certainty around tenant and landlord obligations under the Retail Leases Act 2003 (VIC).

The latest in a suite of legal reforms in Victoria to enable survivors of historical child abuse to seek justice through claims for compensation came into effect recently. By amendment of the Limitation of Actions Act 1958, survivors may apply to the Supreme Court to overturn previous judgments and re-open past settlements.