As part of its economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, yesterday the Government passed a ‘temporary safe harbour’ insolvency measure^[1].

The Australian Parliament has passed legislation granting temporary relief for businesses from statutory demands and liability for insolvent trading. Individuals will also be granted temporary relief in relation to bankruptcy notices.

Introduction

The Australian Parliament has passed a suite of temporary insolvency measures to combat the economic impacts of coronavirus. The changes, which are expected to come into effect shortly, will provide temporary relief from statutory demands and liability for insolvent trading.

On Sunday morning, the Prime Minister and Treasurer announced further measures to assist struggling Australian companies in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak including temporary changes to the Statutory Demand regime and the prohibitions on insolvent trading in the Corporations Act. While these changes may bring comfort to struggling companies and their employees, the changes will also materially increase the risks to anyone doing business with them.

Before the proposed changes:

In an unprecedented move the Federal Government has announced temporary changes to some aspects of existing insolvency laws as part of the plan to try and keep businesses operating during this unique health crisis time.

Insolvent Trading

The Federal Government yesterday announced a package of temporary measures to assist financially distressed companies. The package is intended to allow distressed businesses (and individuals) time to weather the uncertain storm of Covid-19 and resume normal business once the immediate crisis is over.

Each element of the package will apply (at this stage) for 6 months.

Statutory demands and bankruptcy notices are powerful tools used by businesses seeking payment. For 6 months they will be much weaker. What options remain?

The Government has announced proposed changes to personal and corporate insolvency laws to provide temporary relief to debtors in connection with compulsory insolvency processes.

Changes to statutory demands and bankruptcy notices

The Australian Government has passed the "Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Bill 2020". The new legislation was announced on Sunday 22 March 2020 and was fast tracked through parliament as part of the Australian Government's response to the economic impact of COVID-19.

The Federal Government has announced a package of changes to Australian insolvency and bankruptcy laws to provide some relief to businesses and individuals who may face financial distress from the economic impacts of the current health crisis.

The package is expressed to provide a safety net to ensure that when the crisis has passed, profitable and viable businesses can resume normal operations. This is in the form of changes to the Corporations Act to provide temporary relief to assist companies to manage through the current economic climate.

As part of its second stimulus package in response to the developing novel coronavirus pandemic announced on 22 March 2020, the Australian Government has extended a lifeline to individuals and businesses facing financial distress by way of temporary changes to the laws of insolvency. There are four key features of the changes.

1. Temporary changes to creditor's statutory demands laws

The Government has announced significant temporary measures to ensure that our insolvency laws and processes do not expose companies and individuals to undue risk. This will hopefully avoid a potentially unprecedented wave of insolvencies. 

Key takeouts

The Government announced a six month suspension of insolvent trading laws.

The relevant debts will still be due and payable by the company in the normal way.