In an unprecedented legal manoeuvre that has sent shockwaves through Victoria’s political landscape, Moira Deeming’s formidable legal team is pursuing a novel strategy to recover $2.3 million in legal costs from those who funded John Pesutto’s failed defamation defense. Leading this charge is a powerhouse duo of Australian legal talent: Patrick George, principal at boutique...
Purchasing a property is one of the most important legal and financial commitments you will make. But not all contracts are what they seem. At Hayton Kosky, we are increasingly concerned by the rise of non-standard, buyer-unfriendly contracts being issued by some conveyancing practitioners. These contracts often appear to follow the standard form developed by...
After nearly 50 years, Penhalluriack’s hardware store in Caulfield (Pens), a true Melbourne institution, is on the market. This isn’t just any hardware store; it’s the legacy of Frank Penhalluriack, the man who single-handedly brought seven-day trading to Victoria, forever changing the retail landscape. Penhalluriack’s journey began close to five decades ago when a trip...
Starting 1 July 2026, law firms in Victoria, along with other professionals such as accountants, conveyancers, and real estate agents, will be brought into the scope of Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime. This marks a significant shift as legal services become subject to obligations under AUSTRAC’s regulatory framework. Key Obligations Lawyers providing...
The Victorian Government’s decision to apply universal $300 electricity bill relief to every residential account — regardless of income, wealth, or need — is not just economically reckless, it’s legally unjustifiable. In a state facing record debt exceeding $180 billion, doling out public money to well-off households with rooftop solar and negligible bills amounts to...
Recent headlines surrounding John Pesutto’s legal battle highlight critical lessons about defamation in the public sphere. Two key takeaways stand out starkly: avoid labeling someone a “neo-nazi” and refrain from calling them a “liar.” Both accusations carry significant weight and can have severe legal repercussions. The case underscores that even in the heat of political...
For decades, successive Victorian governments have engaged in a massive sell-off of public assets, promising economic efficiency and debt reduction. Yet today, Victoria faces the paradoxical reality of both depleted public ownership and unsustainable debt levels, all while maintaining Australia’s most punitive tax regime. The Privatisation Paradox Since the 1990s, Victoria has led Australia in...
When the Federal Government introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2000, it came with a promise: the new consumption tax would replace a raft of inefficient state taxes, creating a more streamlined taxation system across Australia. The GST was meant to provide states with a stable revenue source while allowing them to eliminate...
If you hold Victorian real estate through a unit trust and are considering transferring units—perhaps as part of an estate plan, SMSF wind-up, or asset restructure—be warned: you may inadvertently trigger landholder duty under Victoria’s Duties Act 2000. A recent bulletin from the Legal Practitioners’ Liability Committee (LPLC) and the Oliver Hume case provide timely...
The impending commencement of the fully enacted Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024 on 1 July 2026 casts a long shadow over the Australian legal profession, particularly for those immersed in real estate transactions. While the objective of bolstering our financial system’s resilience against illicit activities is laudable, the practical implications for our...
