Restructuring & Insolvency
David Jones enters administration after talks with landlord break down
Rising costs and evolving shopping trends have forced 188-year-old department store David Jones into voluntary administration, a day after its landlord revealed the retailer had not paid rent since September.
Discrimination
High Court to hear Pauline Hanson’s appeal over ‘back to Pakistan’ tweet
The High Court has taken up Pauline Hanson's constitutional challenge to Australia's racial vilification law, in a long-running dispute with Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi over a tweet by the One Nation leader.
Tax
High Court rejects Uber’s appeal of $81M payroll tax ruling
Uber must pay at least $81 million in payroll tax after the High Court shot down its challenge to a finding that its drivers received wages, in a decision the rideshare giant says sets an "alarming precedent".
Class Actions
Trading platform eToro hit with class action over CFDs
Online investment platform eToro Australia faces a class action on behalf of investors who lost money trading in high risk contracts for difference.
Financial Services
Keystone’s Paul Chiodo faces grilling in court over $1B collapse of funds
The property developer linked to collapsed investment funds Shield and First Guardian took the stand in court on Wednesday to face a grilling by liquidators, as investigators try to claw back the $1 billion in missing investor funds.
Financial Services
Keybridge directors breached duties over $4.75M bonus, Lake Como loan: court
Three Keybridge directors breached their duties when they approved a $4.75 million bonus for CEO Nicholas Bolton and arranged for the financially distressed company to advance Bolton a loan to acquire a $20 million property in Lake Como, a judge has found.
Tax
Tax benefit only ‘realistic’ aim of Billabong founder’s share sale, High Court says
The High Court has upheld an appeals court ruling that Billabong founder Gordon Merchant is liable for a $31 million tax bill after selling his company, finding there was no other "meaningful or realistic" objective of the sale.
Securities
Ex-US congressman alleges insider trading in case against Queensland gold mine
A former US congressman who holds shares in Queensland gold mining company Citigold is seeking to bring a derivative action in the Federal Court, accusing the brother of company chairman Mark Lynch of trading on sensitive inside information.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
OAIC won’t take action against court transcriber over data breach
The Office of the Australian Information Commission will not take action against defunct court transcription services provider VIQ Solutions over the unauthorised access of court recordings, despite finding there may have been a privacy breach.
ASIC
Chemist Warehouse, Hemmes among targets of ASIC fines
The operator of pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse and hospitality giant Hemmes Group are among companies that copped a total of $4.4 million in fines for missing the FY25 financial reporting deadline, ASIC said Wednesday.
