Alerts

Banking Services Alert - ASIC Release Regulatory Guide
ASIC has released regulatory guidance for credit licensees about the responsible lending obligations in the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (National Credit Act).
ASIC’s Regulatory Guide 209 Credit licensing: Responsible lending conduct obligations has been developed to help industry understand ASIC’s expectations in relation to their responsible lending obligations as credit licensees.
The release of this regulatory guide is part of ASIC’s effort to provide early guidance to assist credit licensees to comply with their responsible lending obligations on the commencement of the National Consumer Credit regime in July 2010.
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Credit Licensing - Who's Who in the Zoo
By 1 July 2010 everyone operating in the consumer credit space will either need to be registered, appointed a credit representative or be entitled to claim an exemption from these requirements. If they are not, then they cannot operate in the credit space after 1 July 2010.
In effect this means that before 1 July 2010 you will need to identify every person that you deal with as part of your business and determine in relation to each person what category they fall under.
To assist we give you some examples
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ASIC RELEASES GUIDANCE NOTES FOR CREDIT LICENCE APPLICANTS
On Friday 18th December 2009, ASIC released various regulatory guides and information notes to assist persons in making applications for credit licenses. After a person has become registered to engage in credit activities ( between 1 April 2010 and 30 June 2010 ) they will then need to apply for a licence ( between 1 July 2010 and 31 December 2010 ) A Christmas present from ASIC?
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Banking Alert - Consumer Credit Licensing Update - December 2009
Christmas is coming and Consumer Credit Licensing is not far behind! The traditional Christmas and New Year lull in business gives you a chance to review your policies and procedures in readiness for credit licensing from April 2010.
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Further changes to the proposed National Consumer Credit Protection Laws
Further changes to the proposed National Consumer Credit Protection Laws
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National Consumer Credit Protection Reform Package Introduced into Parliament - 25 June 2009
- Today, the Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen MP, introduced the national consumer credit laws into Parliament.
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Rebates, Side Deals, Cash-Backs and Discounts - 2 June 2009
- We have recently noticed an increase in rebates, side deals, cashbacks and early settlement discounts offered in Contracts of Sale. Some of the rebates were not disclosed by the borrower in the initial credit application. These were discovered when the contract was forwarded to us around the settlement date and resulted in the credit being re-assessed before settlement, causing angst, inconvenience and added expense for the borrowers.
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Draft Provisions on Unfair Contract Terms - 19 May 2009
- On 11 May 2009, the Federal Government released a consultation paper entitled “The Australian Consumer Law - Consultation on draft provisions on unfair contract terms”. This draft implements the decision of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2008 to create a single national consumer law.
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Credit Industry Reform - Licensing Is On Its Way - 1 May 09
- It’s a busy year for the Credit Industry. Not only does it have to come to terms with the Global Financial Crisis, but we will shortly have additional rafts of federal legislation to deal with in the short term.
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New National Credit Regulation Laws - Start Date Extended - 22 April 2009
- It was reported last week that January 2010 is now likely to be the new start date for federal takeover of consumer credit regulation laws, six months later than originally envisaged.
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An Overview of National Regulation of Consumer Credit Code - 22 April 2009
- Keeping abreast of the plans to transfer all Consumer Credit Regulation to the Commonwealth from the States and Territories is an ongoing process.
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Tiny Terms Contracts - Implementation of Amendments to Qld Credit Code - 22 April 2009
- Our June 2008 Banking In Brief publication (review our previous article) referred to legislation1 that had been passed in Queensland to amend the national Consumer Credit Code extending its application.
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Executive Remuneration - The Regulatory Debate - 22 April 2009
- In March 2009, John Trowbridge, Executive Member of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (‘APRA’) in a speech delivered at the 2009 Remuneration Forum, not only expressed APRA's view on this topic but outlined possible new prudential standards to be issued by APRA.
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Banking In Brief

Banking in Brief Issue 22 - Nov 08
- When is a Registered Mortgage Worthless?
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Banking In Brief Issue 21 - Jul 08
- Victorian Credit Legislation Being Amended
- Be Cautious About Over 50s Lifestyle Developments
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Banking In Brief Issue 20 - Jun 08
- UK High Court Rules on Bank Fees
- Extension of Application of Consumer Credit Code
- Interest Rate Cap in Queensland
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PPS Reform Alert - 26 Jun 09
The Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs made eleven recommendations to the Australian Government regarding the PPS reform. The Government in response to these recommendations has accepted in substance one of the recommendations and fully accepted the remaining ten recommendations.
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Client Information Bulletin

Client Information Bulletin Issue 78 - Dec 09
- MacGillivrays Always Learning
- The Gift of Life
- Introducing our Brisbane Discharge and Consents Team
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Client Information Bulletin Issue 77 - Jun 09
- How far does an ASIC Registered Charge reach?
- New Laws Affecting Executive Termination Benefits.
- Do you know the difference between license and licence?
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Client Information Bulletin Issue 76 - Mar 09
- Update Your Details, About us, What’s new, Did you know...
- Nothing is more certain than death & taxes… or is it?
- Lawyers Get Gadgety
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Client Information Bulletin Issue 75 - Dec 08
- Foreclosure
- What a difference a day makes when it comes to land tax
- Personal Property Securities Reform
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Client Information Bulletin Issue 74 - Oct 08
- Legal Language De-mystified
- Advance Health Directives -What you should know.
- Stop Press: Do You Take Personal Property Securities? Reforms are on their way...
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Client Information Bulletin Issue 73 - July 08
- PARTIES BEWARE! Are Pre-Contratual Costs Recoverable?
- On the Buses
- About Us, What's New, The Lighter Side
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Corporate & Business

Corporate & Business In Brief Issue 11 - Nov 08
- MacGillivrays & Planwealth - A Super Team
- Intellectual Property Rights of Employees & Independent Contractors - A Caution for Businesses
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Corporate & Business In Brief Issue 10 - Apr 08
- GST, Margin Scheme and Property Developers: Full Federal Court Appeal Underway
- FIRB Amendments - What are foreign investors to do?
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Corporate & Business In Brief Issue 9 - October 07
- Business reporting made easier
- Client conference and why solicitors should attend
- Business reporting made easier
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Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Dispute Resolution & Litigation In Brief Issue 6 - April 2009
- Creditors Beware of Payment by Third Parties
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Dispute Resolution & Litigation in Brief Issue 5 - Nov 2008
- The Personal Property Securities Bill 2008 and what it means for retention of title clauses
- Privacy Reform
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Dispute Resolution & Litigation In Brief Issue 4 - Sept 08
- Personal Property Securities Bill 2008 (Cth) - What Creditors Need To Know
- Recent Successes
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Dispute Resolution & Litigation In Brief Issue 3 - June 08
- The 'Running Account' Defence in Insolvency. What is it? What is required?
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Employment & Industrial Relations

Employment & Industrial Relations In Brief Issue 7 - Oct 08
- Employment Law Reform - Where are we at?
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Employment & Industrial Relations In Brief Issue 6 - May 08
- Workplace Relations Bill Reforms - What is the status?
- "Footy Fever' Doesn't Justify a "Sickie"
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General News

Registration Fees Update - Effective 1st July 2008
- Registration Fees in most Australian States and Territories will increase as of 1st July 2008
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Mortgage News - Volume 3 - Dec 08
- Amendments to Queensland Mortgagee Sales
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Mortgage News - Volume 2 - Jun 08
- New South Wales, Queensland, Victorian and Western Australian State Budget Announcements
- Federal Government Releases Green Paper for National Regulation of Financial Services Industry
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Mortgage News - Volume 1 May 08
- Interest Rate Cap For Queensland
- Secured Building Covenants
- Stamp Duty and Registration Fee News
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Property

Property in Brief Issue 17 - Sept 08
- QLD Transfer Duty Concession Changes
- Developers Sleep Easy: Bady King Wins Appeal
- Preparation of Contracts by Real Estate Agents
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Structure & Estate Planning

Structure & Estate Planning In Brief Issue 10 - July 2009
Why Make a Will?
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Structure & Estate Planning In Brief Issue 9 - Aug 08
- Assets, Wills and Estate Planning
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