Competition & Consumer Protection
Dealer loses $9M suit against GM over decision to retire Holden brand
A former Holden dealer has lost a $9 million suit alleging General Motors misleadingly represented that it was “100% committed” to the line a few years before it decided to discontinue the brand.
Intellectual Property
Aristocrat’s trade secrets case against Light & Wonder settles for $190M
Gaming company Light & Wonder will pay $190 million to settle Aristocrat’s litigation in Australia and the United States alleging it misappropriated trade secrets in developing two poker machines.
Social Media
Meta removed 544,000 kids accounts in first month of social media ban
Meta has sharply criticised Australia's social media ban for children after confirming it removed over half a million Facebook, Instagram and Threads accounts in the first month of the ban.
Employment
Svitzer took adverse action with exec’s ‘snap’ decision to ax port manager: court
Marine towage giant Svitzer took adverse action against a port manager who was dismissed in the “snap decision” of an executive irritated by the manager's lack of excitement when offered a lower-paid role as part of a restructure.
Class Actions
‘Not appropriate’ to donate leftover funds in PFAS class actions to charity, says judge
A judge has ordered the administrator for two class actions over PFAS contamination that settled for $153 million to pay the leftover funds to group members rather than to charities, saying it was not appropriate “to go around making donations”.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Court asked to vary $10.7M freezing order over ‘highly unusual’ airport deal
A Dubai-based investor is seeking to vary "punitive" freezing orders won by a brokerage firm that claims he failed to repay a $10.7 million (US$7.2 million) debt over a "highly unusual" airport investment proposal.
Employment
University of NSW hit with $211K penalty for underpaying casual staff
The University of NSW has been hit with a $211,200 penalty after admitting to "systemic" underpayments of casual staff at its business school.
Personal injury
Personal injury lawyer’s ads warrant misconduct finding, bigger fine: tribunal
A tribunal has ordered a Queensland solicitor to pay $30,000 for advertising personal injury services, up from the $2,000 penalty the lawyer agreed to pay, saying it was "concerning" the lawyer claimed ignorance of a breach of the law.
Royal Commission
Virginia Bell to lead royal commission into Bondi terrorist attack
The Prime Minister has appointed former High Court Justice Virginia Bell to lead a royal commission into antisemitism in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack, in which 15 were killed during Hanukkah celebrations.
Energy & Natural Resources
Alinta wins appeal in renewable project row with Fortescue’s Pilbara Energy
Alinta Energy has won an appeal against a mining warden's decision to refuse an extension to lodge objections against Pilbara Energy's licence application for a renewable energy project.
