IR Global, the world’s largest exclusive network of advisory firms is delighted to introduce Martin of Dry Kirkness. Martin Kirkness has joined IR as our exclusive Audit & Assurance Services member in Australia. Dry Kirkness is a Perth-based accounting firm providing comprehensive business advice and audit services to family-run businesses and not-for-profit organisations. We have been […]
The Australian Federal Government has announced that it will be setting up a Commonwealth Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. It is inviting states, territories and other non–government institutions to join in the Commonwealth scheme to deliver redress to the survivors of childhood abuse. An initial $33.4 million in this year’s budget […]
Last year, Federal Parliament made amendments to the Narcotic Drugs Act that legalised the growing of cannabis for medicinal reasons. In November 2016, it came into effect. In this way, it became legal to cultivate and manufacture medicinal cannabis in Australia, which means people will be able to apply for a licence to grow their […]
With changing attitudes and perceptions towards Childhood Sexual Abuse, our understanding of Childhood Sexual Abuse is developing and we are confirming that sexual abuse can occur in almost any setting. We have learnt that at the Celtic Boys Club, which is a famous youth football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, that they have had numerous […]
In the recent case of Downey & Beale [2017] FCCA 316 the parties had agreed on their property settlement, but could not decide who would keep the family dog. Dogs are considered property in accordance with the Family Law Act 1975 and in deciding where the dog should live the court is required to ascertain […]
Further Reforms to Australian Employer Sponsored Skilled Migration (ENS Subclass 186 and 187 Visa) -THE GOAL POSTS CHANGED ON 19 APRIL 2017. IS YOUR OCCUPATION ON THE LIST? Following from the Government announcement that the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457 visa) will be abolished and replaced with the new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa […]
If you want to become an Australian Citizen, you will need to know the Changes to the Australian Citizenship requirements On the 20th of April 2017, the Australian Government introduced a package of reforms strengthening the requirements to become an Australian citizen. The key changes to note are: Increased general residence period which requires applicants […]
While there are documented compensation payouts regularly advised in the press, in many cases the real story of compensation lies safely under the cloak of confidentiality. It has been our firms experience that a number of institutions responsible for the organisations where sexual abuse has occurred, have made what we would consider most inappropriate […]
What has happened? Have you missed the boat?! Are there other answers to the problem? Reforms to Australia’s temporary employer sponsored skilled migration programme were announced on 18 April 2017, with its operation beginning immediately. The major change is the abolition of the “457 visa” (Temporary Work visa), which previously allowed a skilled worker to […]
With more and more couples opting to use international services for paid surrogates, many issues can arise for which couples are not prepared. The case of Farnell & Anor and Chanbua [2016] FCWA17 is a representation of the complex issues that can arise when entering into a surrogacy agreement. Mr and Mrs Farnell engaged a […]
YOU DON’T HAVE LONG! REVIEW YOUR STRATA BY-LAWS ASAP TO ENSURE YOU ARE COMPLIANT. THE RULES HAVE CHANGED, AND HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST NOTABLE CHANGES OF WHICH YOU SHOULD BE AWARE Strata Reform: Effective By-Laws The Owners corporations of existing strata schemes must review their by-laws within 12 months of the commencement of […]
NEW PROPOSALS WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO CLAIMD FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS Legislation reform tabled for Child Sexual Assault Survivors The Australian Capital Territory (“ACT”) is leading the way with reforms to make bringing a claim against abusers for child sexual assault easier. The ACT along with New South Wales and Victoria have followed […]