Our 16 February 2024 Client Alert reported on the recommendations of the Federal Government’s Independent Review of the Franchising Code of Conduct (“Code”). 

We noted that the recommendations were largely sensible and light touch and that the Review considered that the Code was generally fit-for-purpose.

The Government has now released its formal response, adopting the Review recommendations in full.

On 18 March 2022, the government announced that it has opened consultation on digital economy regulation settings in Australia. The government is seeking feedback on regulatory frameworks, particularly in relation to automated decision making and artificial intelligence.

In March 2022, Australian Securities & Investments Commission published a response to submissions received to its consultation on review of the ePayments Code. In its response, ASIC proposed various revisions to the current voluntary code, including that scam payments will no longer be regarded as “mistaken internet payments” and reporting requirements for unauthorized transactions will change.