Legal Alert

The Queensland Government has now issued the first of its Regulations under the COVID‑19 Emergency Response Act 2020, dealing with residential tenancy relief[1] during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Regulation is retrospective and has effect on and from 29 March 2020. As expected, the Regulation imposes: a moratorium on certain evictions; a moratorium or cap on […]

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer (CHO) has resolved the inconsistency between State and Commonwealth requirements for persons entering a residential aged care facility to have had an influenza vaccination. By media statement dated 18 March 2020, the Commonwealth Government declared that all visitors and staff (including visiting workers) to a residential aged care facility should not

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Queensland Government has changed its requirements regarding medical certificates for drivers aged 75 and above (senior drivers). The purpose of the changes is to minimise risk to the health and safety of senior drivers, by avoiding the need for them to visit their doctor or optometrist to renew

Along with the proposed legislation to implement the National Code of Conduct (Leasing – COVID‑19) (the Code), the Queensland Government is introducing legislation to implement Land Tax relief, to the tune of more than $400 million, to landlords whose rent receipts are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible landlords can apply for up to

On 8 April 2020, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) made determinations varying 99 modern awards by inserting a temporary new schedule into these awards. The schedule provides employees with two weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave and the ability to take twice as much annual leave at half their normal pay if their employer agrees. Affected awards

The Commonwealth Government yesterday announced the details of the much anticipated COVID-19 Code of Conduct for commercial tenancies (the Code).  While the finer details are still to be legislated by the various States and Territories, we finally have some clarity around the obligations of both landlords and tenants in dealing with the impact of COVID-19

Many business and individuals who have signed contracts are finding it increasingly difficult to continue to meet their obligations in light of the COVID-19 restraints which have been implemented by various Governments. Those measures are impacting contracts in Australia and around the world. As a result, it may become necessary to consider the legal principles

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released new guidelines targeted at providing comfort to corporations experiencing difficulty in meeting regulatory requirements in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures are a welcome recognition by the corporate regulator that the current climate may temporarily impact on a company’s ability to hold an annual

The Morrison Government has announced a $130 billion JobKeeper Payment to support businesses and help keep more Australian workers in jobs. What is the JobKeeper Payment? Under the JobKeeper Payment, eligible businesses impacted by the Coronavirus will be able to access a subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees. Affected employers that meet

By now many of you will have received Fiona Sears’ Legal Alert titled Prime Minister sets out commercial leasing principles to assist landlords and tenants, which summarises the key points from Scott Morrison’s press conference last night relating to commercial leasing agreements. Following the announcement, the Australian Banker’s Association issued a press release this morning