In the media

Acting IBAC Deputy Commissioner appointed
Victoria's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, IBAC, welcomed the appointment of Ms Kylie Kilgour as IBAC's new Acting Deputy Commissioner (23 December 2020). More...

ATO made 'flawed decisions' on denying small businesses JobKeeper, says tax ombudsman
The tax ombudsman says the ATO has made flawed decisions on some people's eligibility for the stimulus measure payments, and needs to give taxpayers clearer guidance (21 December 2020). More...

Privacy and Data Protection Deputy Commissioner commences audit of information security value assessments in the Victorian public sector
Victoria's Privacy and Data Protection Deputy Commissioner has commenced an audit of the practices of four Victorian public sector organisations against the Victorian Protective Data Security Standards (14 December 2020). More...

In practice and courts

AAT Bulletin
The AAT Bulletin is a weekly publication containing a list of recent AAT decisions and information relating to appeals against AAT decisions, including immigration and citizenship
Issue No. 1/2021, 1 January 2021. More...

Commonwealth Integrity Commission: Consultation draft
The Australian Government has released an exposure draft of legislation to establish the new Commonwealth Integrity Commission (CIC) and make other consequences legislative amendments. A fact sheet about the key features of the CIC has also been released. The consultation page includes links to the draft legislation and further information about other issues under consideration. Closing date 12 February 2021.

Victoria

Electronic document lodgement is coming soon to the Magistrates' Court of Victoria and the Children's Court of Victoria
Electronic document lodgement, known as eDocs, is being implemented at both Courts across Victoria from November through to January 2021. This is a preliminary first step being introduced as part of a broader new case management system that will be rolled out over the next few years. In the meantime, if you have any questions, view the Frequently Asked Questions here.

Inquiry into the Victorian Government's COVID-19 Contact Tracing System and Testing Regime - have your say
The report was published out of session on 14 December 2020, as per the resolution of the House on 10 November 2020 - see the report page to download a copy.

Published – articles, papers, reports

Investigation into the detention and treatment of public housing residents arising from a COVID-19 'hard lockdown' in July 2020
Victorian Ombudsman: 17 December 2020
The timing of the lockdown of the North Melbourne and Flemington public housing towers on 4 July 2020 was not based on direct health advice and violated Victorian human rights laws, this investigation by the Victorian Ombudsman has found.More...

Cases

Gerner v Victoria [2020] HCA 48
Constitutional law (Cth) – implications from Constitution – where directions made under s 200(1)(b) and (d) of Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) restricted movement of persons within Victoria – where plaintiffs sought declarations that directions and s 200(1)(b) and (d) of Public Health and Wellbeing Act were invalid as an infringement of a freedom to move wherever one wishes for whatever reason ("freedom of movement") said to be implicit in Constitution – where defendant demurred on ground that Constitution did not imply freedom of movement – whether freedom of movement implicit in federal structure of Constitution – whether freedom of movement protected by implied freedom of political communication – whether freedom of movement implicit in s 92 of Constitution.

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.