MinterEllison

The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 (SMMA Bill) was passed on 29 November 2024, legislating a minimum age of 16 for social media use. Social media platform operators that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent Australian end users under 16 from having social media accounts will face civil penalties of up to AUD$49.5 million. Here's everything you need to know about it: https://lnkd.in/gdVGYHDP Authors: Paul Kallenbach, Nicole Bradshaw, Maria Rychkova and Ciara Bellis

The Australian Parliament passed legislation introducing substantial reforms to the AML/CTF regulatory regime in Australia last week, representing a major milestone in AML/CTF reforms. Our team provide a snapshot summary of the reform and the changes that Parliament made to the Bill before it was passed, that includes the top 5 things you need to know right now: https://lnkd.in/d4m997n3 Authors: Ian Lockhart, Tony Coburn, Danélle Prinsloo and Prayas Pradhan

MinterEllison has appointed Jason McQuillen to lead our Optimise team within Consulting. Jason brings over two decades of experience driving innovation and transformation in the legal industry across Australia, the UK, and South Africa. Most recently, Jason led KPMG’s Band One Chambers-ranked Legal Operations Transformation Services for APAC. This appointment reflects our commitment to delivering innovative, client-focused solutions that bridge best-practice consulting with deep expertise in inhouse legal challenges. Optimise empowers clients to embrace AI, digital transformation, and efficiency opportunities in an evolving operating landscape. Read more in our news release: https://lnkd.in/guGDaP5h

Following a lengthy ACCC campaign, major merger reforms have passed the Australian parliament - they will come into effect from 1 January 2026. The reforms will involve a seismic shift to merger control, as Australia moves from the current voluntary process to a mandatory and suspensory regime with the ACCC as the key administrative decision-maker.   Our team examine what the changes mean for business and deal activity, including steps that businesses should be taking in advance of the regime commencing on a voluntary opt-in basis from 1 July 2025, before the reforms commence in full from 1 January 2026: https://lnkd.in/gBFgG-6P   Authors: Haydn Flack, Geoff Carter, Miranda Noble, Katrina Groshinski, Yumi B.

The use of facial recognition technology (FRT) has proliferated across various industries, including retail. Some retailers – Bunnings among them – have identified FRT as an effective way to reduce in-store theft. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has found that Bunnings contravened the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act), by collecting individuals' sensitive information through a facial recognition technology system, revealing two critically important lessons for organisations about their privacy obligations. Our team, Paul Kallenbach, Maria Rychkova and Ciara Bellis, examine the findings: https://lnkd.in/gK-J_m_3 

As proud sponsors of the Property Council of Australia Student Accommodation Council Conference, it was great to have Partner Leah Wright share her insights about the evolving RTAs, how the sector is navigating these challenges, and what government can do to support the growth of PBSA.

With Latham & Watkins, MinterEllison has advised Anglo American on the US$4.9 billion sale of its Australian steelmaking coal business, through the US$3.775 billion sale of its steelmaking coal business to Peabody Energy and the A$1.6 billion (~US$1.1 billion) sale of its 33.3% stake in Jellinbah Group Pty. We're proud of our longstanding relationship with Anglo American and to have supported on these strategic transactions. Simon Scott Jordan Phillips Read the full media release: https://lnkd.in/gV3PEh-G

The Aged Care Bill 2024 passed Parliament following a final vote in the House of Representatives. The new Aged Care Act will come into force on 1 July 2025. A further Transitional Bill has been designed to ensure continuity of care for aged care recipients throughout the transition period. Our team, Penelope Eden, Sacha Shannon and Jonna-Susan Mathiessen, provide a summary of the key changes: https://lnkd.in/gSvmk6W4

As legally mandated climate disclosure commences, it is not uncommon for organisations to grapple with challenges and difficult trade-offs. Transition planning is key, with stakeholders demanding action on emissions and targets. This article, from Paul Schoff and Joao Segorbe, explores what transition planning is and the key emerging practical issues for it: https://lnkd.in/g-eKpzP4

"We are honoured to collaborate with the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) on this landmark project. The New Melton Hospital represents a quantum leap in healthcare infrastructure for Melbourne's west." said Partner Stewart Nankervis, who led the MinterEllison team along with Partner Owen Cooper. Read the full news release: https://lnkd.in/d3aYNqDf