NSW GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS HOW TO PROTECT SUB-CONTRACTORS, 25 OCTOBER 2012
A Discussion and Issues Paper Inquiry into construction industry insolvency in NSW (Issues Paper) has been released and is currently available for comment as the NSW Government attempts to progress its agenda to safeguard the interests of sub-contractors in the construction industry.
The Federal Government has proposed a major strengthening of APRA’s crisis management powers and has released a consultation paper containing wide-ranging proposals for financial services reform that are now open to industry comment.
The Federal Magistrates Court recently found that an undischarged bankrupt was unable to seek compensation or a financial penalty against a former employer for unlawful dismissal, but was able to seek reinstatement instead.
ASIC has made a brand new start to the way insolvency notices will be published in Australia. From 1 July 2012 the previous obligations for publications have melted away.
An interesting story has come out of the Olympic showjumping, with the dual silver medal winning 10 year old Belgian stallion named London, being seized as part of ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, leaving his German rider Gerco Schroeder horseless.
Mr Schroeder is now faced with the uncertainty of whether he will be able to continue to ride the talented stallion or if he will have to find himself a new backer and a new mount.
A liquidator of a landlord company who disclaims a lease under section 568(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), a section largely similar to section 269 of the Companies Act 1993 (NZ), does so with full effect, leaving the land unencumbered by the interests of tenants.
In the matter of Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Australia (inc (administrators appointed) Phoenix Lacquers & Paints Pty Limited v Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Australia Inc (administrators appointed) & Ors [2012] NSWSC 214 (13 March 2012), the plaintiff, Phoenix Lacquers, sought a declaration regarding the validity of a resolution to remove and replace joint and several administrators of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga which did not succeed. The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Australia was incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW) and
The Western Australian Court of Appeal has recently delivered its judgment on one of the country's longest running pieces of litigation: Westpac Banking Corporation v The Bell Group (in liq) [No 3] (the Bell Appeal). The Bell Appeal decision runs at over 1,000 pages and discusses a range of issues relating to transactions conducted immediately prior to insolvency. Of particular significance for directors and financiers are the discussions relating to director's duties, knowing receipt and knowing assistance.
On 17 October 2012, Nine Entertainment announced that it had reached an agreement with representatives of its senior and junior lenders with respect to a restructuring of its financing arrangements. Prior to the announcement, recent business press had been dominated by reports of Nine Entertainment's potential insolvency.
Key Points:
There are various issues of which a secured creditor must be aware in seeking to either comply with its obligations or take steps to enforce a mortgage under the Act.
Victoria's new Farm Debt Mediation Act 2011 (Vic) commenced operation on 1 December 2011 and is largely modelled on the equivalent New South Wales legislation, the Farm Debt Mediation Act 1994 (NSW).