AJH Lawyers

Migrants in Australia struggle to fund retirement with $140,000 less in their superannuation accounts compared to locals

Why migrants are $140,000 worse off than people born in Australia The average superannuation balance at retirement for people from non-English speaking backgrounds is about 30 per cent lower than the general population.

Key dates you need to know about for filing your 2023-2024 tax returns

When can I lodge my tax return? Here's the cut-off date to avoid a fine from the ATO About 14 million Australians will be prepping their tax returns over the coming weeks and months come July 1. Here's what you need to know.

Government pledges to crack down on major supermarkets, who now face millions in fines

Supermarkets face millions in penalties under government competition crackdown The government has confirmed that it will accept all recommendations made by an inquiry into the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.

Nine out of ten migrants took no action to recover unpaid wages due to inaccessible legal system

'Virtually impossible' for migrant workers to hold employers accountable for unpaid wages Australia's law system is seen as "hollow" by migrant workers, who rarely chase up underpayment from their employers, according to a new report.

Australia has been added to China’s visa-free list.

Visa-free travel to China welcomed by people wanting to reunite with family Under the new arrangement announced by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Australians will be able to travel to China for up to 15 days without the need to apply and pay for a visa, and for those looking to visit family the plan has been well received even though many details are still to emerge.

Proposed legislation to run credit checks on new customers will make ‘buy now, pay later’ services harder to access

It could soon get harder to access buy now, pay later services in Australia The government has introduced new legislation to create stronger protections for those using buy now, pay later schemes, claiming providers are not being adequately regulated by current laws.

Federal Court issues $67m fine to Adelaide’s SkyCity casino over links to money laundering and organised crime

Adelaide casino fined $67m over money laundering case The Federal Court has ordered the operators of Adelaide's Casino to pay $67 million, in a money laundering case brought on by financial crimes agency AUSTRAC.

Immigration minister announces new rules to strengthen visa cancellations and promote community safety

Andrew Giles issues new rules for visa cancellations that make community safety ‘highest priority’ Immigration minister announces direction 110 after previous rules used to overturn visa cancellations for non-citizens who committed serious offences

Medibank faces $21.5 trillion fine after medical details published on dark web

Medibank faces maximum $21.5 trillion fine in new cyber hack case The privacy watchdog alleges the private health insurer failed to protect the details of 9.7 million customers, under a law that provides for a penalty of $2.2 million for each breach.

Study shows that AI tools designed for the legal industry are responsible for misinformation

Gen AI tools for lawyers ‘hallucinate’ up to one in three times Generative artificial intelligence tools designed for the legal industry make up false or misleading information up to one in three times, a study has found.

Westpac is suing dozens of its insurers over the $1.3b civil penalty by AUSTRAC

Westpac sues insurers over $1.3b AUSTRAC penalty AFR Weekend understands that the bank believes it is eligible to claim $400 million from its insurers over the AUSTRAC fine.

Michaelia Cash demands clarification of an extensive new anti-hate speech proposal

Michaelia Cash calls for focus on antisemitism in Labor’s new hate speech law The shadow attorney-general asked if using the phrase ‘from the river to the sea’ would be an offence under Labor’s bill

The federal government offers $100k to repair vandalised Chinese dragon in Bendigo and other important artefacts

Labor's $100k offer to repair vandalised Chinese dragon as police lay charges After the world's oldest Chinese dragon was damaged in Bendigo, the federal government stepped in to help restore it — as police confirm the alleged vandals have been charged.

Migration reform concerning intake of international university students.

Crackdown on foreign uni students as migration numbers revised upwards again The number of international students universities can enrol will be tied to their construction of suitable accommodation under a major immigration crackdown by the federal government.

The appeals tribunal is swamped with prospective foreign students lodging appeals against their rejected visas

Foreign student appeals more than doubles amid crackdown on visa applications Many student hopefuls who have had their visa application rejected are appealing the decision, often as a means to extend their stay.

Orica has been fined $1.2 million after 2 workers were exposed to potentially deadly cobalt dust

Orica fined $1.2m after Newcastle workers exposed to potentially deadly cobalt dust The chemical giant was found to have let the risk of exposure go unaddressed for years, but received a reduced fine due to its early guilty plea.

The Supreme Court has dismissed a class action raised by public housing tower residents attempting to halt the state government's plans to demolish the buildings

Class action filed by public housing residents thrown out of Supreme Court A judge has dismissed the legal challenge of public housing tower residents forced to move as part of a government housing plan.

Charges regarding hotel quarantine have been dropped against Victorian’s health department

Charges dropped: Government escapes punishment over quarantine blunders that cost 768 lives WorkSafe Victoria had accused the Health Department of failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment for employees.

Criminal charges brought by Forrest against Meta for publishing fraudulent crypto-currency ads on Facebook have been discontinued

Charges against Meta discontinued in WA after move by Andrew Forrest targeting false crypto ads Criminal charges against Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook, are discontinued in the WA District Court, after mining magnate Andrew Forrest targeted alleged scam advertisements used to defraud Australian investors.

Sam Mostyn named Australia’s 28th Governor General

Sam Mostyn to be Australia’s new governor-general The businesswoman and lawyer was the first female AFL commissioner and was previously the president of Chief Executive Women.

Federal government considers changes to provision allowing judges to escape investigation for misconduct by resigning

Should judges still be investigated after they leave the bench? Several judges have resigned before conduct investigations could be completed, avoiding any chance of removal by parliament – but change may be afoot.

ATO chases billions in debt owed by businesses not passing on income tax and GST dollars

Has the GST you've paid actually gone to the government? The billions owed to the ATO suggests a lot hasn't Small business owners have collected billions of dollars in GST from their customers in recent years but failed to hand it to the tax office, prompting a warning from the new tax commissioner.

The coalition and the greens have teamed up, resulting in Labours deportation bill failing to pass the Senate.

Labor’s deportation bill fails to pass Senate in ‘almighty backfire’ as Coalition and Greens team up Opposition says bill needs ‘proper inquiry’ to guard against possible ‘unintended consequences’ despite voting with government in lower house

CFMEU and Hutchinson Successfully Overturn $1.35M Fines.

CFMEU and Hutchinson overturn $1.35m fines The CFMEU has wiped out a $750,000 fine after the court held a builder kicking a non-union contractor off site was simply a commercial decision to avoid strikes.

Industry Warns Victoria of Overreliance on Stamp Duty.

Victoria ‘overly reliant’ on stamp duty, industry warns The Real Estate Institute of Victoria has urged the Allan government to cut stamp duty and consider introducing tax incentives for long-term rental properties.

Proposal to replace Administrative Appeals Tribunal faces obstacle in the Senate

Attorney-General hits Senate roadblock in bid for Administrative Appeals Tribunal reform The government may have to tweak its proposal for a new legal tribunal, which key crossbenchers say is too soft on politicisation.

Ex-PWC partner escapes investigation due to human error by Chartered Accountants

Chartered Accountants mistakenly let ex-PwC partner avoid investigation The body accidentally allowed Peter Collins to cancel his membership, and avoid investigation, despite a confession that should have prevented him resigning.

Australian Competition Tribunal to make decision on ANZ takeover of Suncorp Bank this week after two years of limbo

Everything you need to know about the ANZ/Suncorp Bank decision On Tuesday, the Australian Competition Tribunal will decide if the $4.9 billion deal can be done. Whichever way it goes, the ramifications will be significant.

Owner of Mornington Peninsula hotel fined $80,000 after staff covered up illegal gambling payout

Mornington Peninsula hotel owner forced to sell business after gambling watchdog finds payout error cover-up by staff Owner of Rye hotel hit with $80,000 fine and required to sell business after staff falsified records to cover up an erroneous cash payout

Sydney’s Star Casino faces second inquiry after deemed still unfit to hold casino license

Sydney's Star Casino will face second inquiry less than two years after damning report The state's casino commission said it was not satisfied Star Casino had done enough to address its failings following the first inquiry.