Australia

Australia Latest Updates
Paper planes: the financing of aircraft pre-delivery payments
If executed right, aircraft pre-delivery payment financing can actually be less risky than traditional aircraft finance.
Avoiding data breaches and managing them if they happen
As the risk of a data breach has rapidly increased with constantly changing technology, businesses have to address the issue now.
Cabotage Reforms in Australia
Almost three years after the enactment of the Coastal Trading Act, it has failed to revitalise the Australian shipping industry.
The G20 Global Infrastructure Hub – First steps
The G20 has given the Sydney-based Global Infrastructure Hub only a four year mandate to realise its goal of closing the global infrastructure gap.
The $110,000 fine for unauthorised payments for home building work
Significant changes made to the laws in New South Wales regarding home building work are worthy of close scrutiny.
New era of supervision of Australian private health insurers
If enacted, the proposed Private Health Insurance Act 2015 will empower Australian Prudential Regulation Authority to administer the prudential regulation of the private health insurance industry in Australia and the provisions of the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 relating to the establishment, functions and responsibilities of Private Health Insurance Administration Council will be repealed.
Australia Related News
When disaster strikes – seven lessons in handling a cyber attack
Proper preparation and planning can help organisations set out a clear path for responding to a cyber breach ...
Defeatist data security cultures no more
Organisations need to recognise that information security is a question of risk and step up defences now ..
CLOC holds its first gathering in Australia
The role of legal operations manager is an emerging one in Australia...
Driving value
Rebecca Lim, Group General Counsel of Westpac Banking Corporation speaks to ASIAN-MENA COUNSEL about the challenges and opportunities she has encountered in her role at the Australian headquartered bank. Here, she explains how her and her team manage to stay ahead of the curve.
Taking the plunge - Bob Santamaria
After twenty years in a partnership role at Australian firm Allens Arthur Robinson, Bob Santamaria took the plunge and moved in-house in 2007, joining ANZ as Group General Counsel. The GFC hit a mere few months later, rocking the banking world to its core. For Santamaria, it was a case of sink or swim, and despite the inevitable challenges that ensued, he explains to Rebecca Brookes why he has never looked back.
A shift in direction
Once viewed as the poor cousin to private practice, attitudes towards in-house lawyers have shifted markedly in Australia in recent years, according to Group General Counsel Will Irving of Telstra, Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services provider. He tells us why the winds of change continue to blow in respect of the in-house role.
With eyes wide open
ASIAN-MENA COUNSEL spoke to former General Counsel for an Australian University, Sascha Hindmarch, about her recent transition back into private practice with US/UK boutique law firm Hausfeld & Co LLP. Here, Sascha tells us about the factors that triggered her decision to move back to private practice, some of the perceived barriers to entry as well as the challenges she has encountered along the way.
Restructuring & Insolvency Special Report
In this month’s cover feature, we take a look at the reasons why in-house counsel need to stay alert to restructuring and insolvency trends, and talk to experts from around the region about the practical considerations which should be taken into account when advising clients in the current climate.
Mergers & Acquisitions Special Report
The June issue of Asian-Counsel takes a look at M&A activity levels and trends across Asia Pacific and investigates factors which in-house counsel should consider in light of the downturn, whilst leading firms discuss how newly-enacted legislation and other issues will impact the M&A arena in Japan, Korea and China.
Australia In-House Handbook & Directory
Australia Chapter (including firm directory)