• Competition and Consumer Law Penalties to Double - The Federal Government has introduced a bill that will double penalties under competition laws and consumer laws from $50 million to $100 million. This update outlines the specific areas impacted and what the increased penalties mean for businesses.
• Does your Payment Schedule meet the requirements of the BIF Act? - The decision in CPB Contractors Pty Ltd & Ors v MSS Projects (NSW) Pty Ltd t/as MSS Steel & Ors [2025] QSC 239 provides useful guidance on the proper preparation of a payment schedule under the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017. A contractor’s failure to prepare its payment schedule in accordance with section 69 of the BIF Act may result in the contractor becoming liable to pay the full amount claimed in the corresponding payment claim.
• Proposed Unfair Trading Laws: What Businesses Need to Know - Unfair trading reforms represent one of the most significant expansions of consumer law in recent years. Although commencement is scheduled for 1 July 2027, the breadth and nature of the obligations mean that entities should start preparing well in advance.
• Reminder – When serving an Adjudication Application, ensure all accompanying submissions are provided to the Respondent - The decision in Platform Constructions Pty Ltd v Fourth Dimension Au Pty Ltd [2025] QCA 264 highlights the significant risk associated with failing to serve an adjudication application together with all accompanying submissions on the Respondent. Failure to strictly comply with section 79(4) of the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 could render any subsequent adjudication decision void.