Farm Debt Mediation - November 2012
On 1 December 2011 the Farm Debt Mediation Act 2011 (Vic) commenced operation. Under the Act, a farm debt mediation scheme is implemented which makes it compulsory for banks and other creditors to offer mediation to farmers before commencing debt recovery proceedings against the farmer on mortgages. Special Counsel, Jacqueline Browning discusses the scheme, which is about to mark its first anniversary of operation...read more ►
Carbon Sink Forestry Schemes - August 2012
It has been possible for some time for taxpayers who are carrying on a business to claim a deduction for capital expenditure incurred in establishing trees where the primary or principal purpose of establishing the trees is for carbon sequestration and not for felling the trees or use of the trees for commercial horticulture subject to them meeting certain conditions...read more ►
Personal Property Securities Act 2009 - practical tips for Agribusiness
June 2012
June 2012
Special Counsel, Jacquie Browning considers the application of personal property securities reform to the Agribusiness sector and offers some practical tips on the operation of the Personal Property Securities Act...read more ►
ASIC releases new disclosure guidance for agribusiness managed investment schemes
March 2012
ASIC has released a new regulatory guide with new disclosure benchmarks and principles for agribusiness managed investment schemes to assist retail investors
to make informed investment decisions on these products. Partner, Craig Yeung and Lawyer, Jarrod Wilksch examine the new regulatory guide...read more ►
Agribusiness roundup
7 September 2011
Partner, Simon Venus looks at current issues affecting the Australian agribusiness sector... read more ►
Update on Senate inquiry into foreign investment in Australian farmland
17 May 2011
Partner, Simon Venus looks at the Senate inquiry into the proposed amendments to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act which would, if passed, see significant changes to the notification and disclosure requirements for foreign acquisitions of Australian agricultural land... read more ►
Foreign investment in Australian farm land:
domestic scrutiny is on the horizon
March 2011
Partner and head of Piper Alderman’s Agribusiness Practice Group, Simon Venus, considers the flow of foreign capital into Australian farm land and agribusinesses and foreshadowed changes to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975... read more ►
Australian European Community Agreement on Trade in Wine
21 December 2010
Australian wine producers are set to benefit from improved access to Australia’s largest wine export market,
Europe, with the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation Amendment Act 2010 having commenced full operation
on 1 September 2010. Corporate lawyer, Bianca Battistella examines the reforms... read more ►
Employers must understand new award system
25 August 2010
Employers need to be clear about their obligations under the new award system. This is particularly important for businesses that do not have a registered enterprise agreement in place... read more ►
Consultation Paper 133 Agribusiness managed investment schemes - Improving disclosure for retail investors
25 May 2010
ASIC is currently seeking stakeholder feedback on Consultation Paper 133 Agribusiness managed investment schemes: Improving disclosure for retail investors, issued on 8 April 2010. Corporate Associate, Aaron Chan examines the paper.... read more ►
Agricultural and non-forestry MIS - TD 2010/7-9
19 April 2010
The recent global financial crises has had an impact on several agricultural and nonforestry
managed investment scheme. To provide certainty to taxpayers, the Australian Taxation Office... read more ►
Personal Property Securities Reform - Implications for Agribusiness
14 April 2010
The Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (PPSA) is due to commence in May 2011.
This may seem a long way off but a great deal of preparation will be required... read more ►
GM Conola Update
25 March 2010
Corporate Division lawyer and agribusiness group member, Bianca Battistella, reports on recent developments in the legislative regime surrounding genetically modified canola ... read more ►
Horticulture Code of Conduct Update
4 February 2010
The Agribusiness Practice Group at Piper Alderman has been following the progress of proposed amendments to the Horticulture Code of Conduct ... read more ►
Failure of Forestry Schemes – Applicability of Deductions for Division 394 Forestry Schemes
30 November 2009
Partner, Alan Jessup, and Senior Associate, Dahnia Mithiran, consider the deductibility regime for forestry schemes ... read more ►
A legislative response to a clash of interests on the rural/urban boundary - Right to Farm Legislation passes the SA Legislative Council
30 November 2009
Corporate Partner and Agribusiness Practice Group head, Simon Venus, considers recent legislation in the form of the Environment Protection (Right To Farm) Amendment Bill 2009 SA ... read more ►
Great Barrier Reef Protection to be the Subject of New Laws -
14 October 2009
The Great Barrier Reef Protection Amendment Bill 2009 (Qld) was introduced to Queensland Parliament
on 4 June 2009 with the majority of its provisions proposed to commence ... read more ►
Food and Juice Labelling Laws get the Squeeze - 14 October 2009
A Private Members Bill, introduced by Nick Xenophon on 20 August 2009, seeks to tighten up laws relating to the circumstances when food and juice products can claim to be “Australian Made”... read more ►
Non-Forestry Managed Investment Scheme (MIS) Failures -
Clarification of the Law - 8 October 2009
Following the collapse of Timbercorp and Great Southern Plantations there have been some concerns by investors as to the status of their tax deductions...read more ►
Horticultural Code of Conduct – what’s the latest? - 28 June 2009
Corporate Partner and Head of Piper Alderman’s Agribusiness Practice Group,Simon Venus and Graduate Lawyer, Bianca Battistella, provide an update on the Horticulture Code of Conduct...read more►
Climate Change Update - 9 June 2009
The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme -
Insights for the Agriculture and Fishing Industries: The Tax Cost
This paper focuses primarily on the tax consequences of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) and their potential impact on the agriculture and fishing industries...read more ►
GM liability regime - Greens say no need for negligence - 28 Apr 2009
Corporate Partner Simon Venus and graduate lawyer Bianca Battistella look at legislative developments in South Australia relating to the risk profile on genetically modified crops...read more►
Horticulture Code and New Plant Protection Legislation - 1 Mar 2009
Corporate Partner and Head of Piper Alderman’s Agribusiness Practice Group, Simon Venus, looks at recent activity by the ACCC in relation to compliance with the Horticulture Code and new plant protection legislation in the form of the Plant Health Act...read more►
There are good reasons for the increased foreign investment in Australian agriculture - 8 Aug 2008
Simon Venus, Partner discusses the reasons to invest...read more►
Wheat export single desk to get the sack - 1 Jun 2008
In a previous article, Corporate partner Simon Venus reported on the deregulation of the Barley export single desk in South Australia. He highlighted the debate surrounding single desk marketing and the controversy which at that time centred on AWB following the Cole enquiry...read more►
States go their separate ways on commercial GM canola production - 1 May 2008
South Australia has now joined both Western Australia and Tasmania in maintaining its moratorium on commercially grown genetically modified (GM) crops. Meanwhile, the moratoria on GM canola in New South Wales and Victoria have already expired and will not be extended, clearing the way for the controversial crop to be sown in those states for the 2008 season. Corporate Partner Simon Venus looks at the legislative background and the recent developments in South Australia...read more►
Speedy Passage of the Commonwealth Water Bill - 1 Oct 2007
In August 2007, we provided an overview of the Water Bill 2007. Corporate partner, Simon Venus, now gives a brief update of the passage of the legislation and some of the issues considered by the Senate Committee...read more►
Water Bill 2007 – the three-legged horse is under starter’s orders - 1 Aug 2007
The Commonwealth government’s plan to take control of the Murray-Darling Basin has now manifested itself in the Water Bill 2007 which was tabled in parliament recently. Corporate partner, Simon Venus, gives a brief overview of the Bill including the heads of power on which it relies...read more ►
Barley Export Single Desk to be abolished - 1 Jun 2007
Debate surrounding monopoly grain marketing or ‘single desk’ arrangements and the controversy centred on AWB following the Cole enquiry has put grain export in the spotlight. Corporate partner, Simon Venus, looks at recent deregulation of the bulk barley export market in South Australia. New legislation in the form of the Barley Exporting Act 2007 will remove the single desk for barley export operated by ABB (the former Australian Barley Board) and put in place a transitional licensing regime to be administered by the Essential Services Commission...read more►
NSX regional expansion may interest agribusiness - 1 Feb 2007
The foreshadowed easing of drought conditions and a renewed interest in agribusiness by investors has cast the spotlight on capital raising projects in the sector. Corporate partner, Simon Venus, looks at recent developments in agribusiness and the opportunities for small cap agribusiness listings in the context of the National Stock Exchange’s expansion into regional areas...read more►
