Alalääkkölä v Palmer: rethinking Relationship Property and the importance of a contracting out agreement

Written by Saige Lindsay In February 2024, the Court of Appeal gave a precedent-setting judgment in the case of Alalääkkölä v Palmer regarding how copyrights are treated in the context of relationship property. Ms Alalääkkölä was a painter, who produced commercial art. The parties separated in 2017 following a 20-year marriage. Upon separation, Mr Palmer wished to continue managing the commercial art business. It was his argument that while Ms Alalääkkölä was the artist, he commercialised the work by promoting and...

New stalking legislation to come into force

Written by Damandeep Sadhra and Saige Lindsay During November 2024, Justice Paul Goldsmith announced the Government’s plan to make stalking an illegal offence. The Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill (Bill) was introduced and passed the first reading in Parliament on 12 December 2024. The Bill defines stalking as three specified acts within a 12-month period that establish a pattern of behaviour amounting to stalking, including behaviour that is likely to cause fear or distress. Watching, loitering, recording, and contacting...

Changes to Employment Law during 2024 and beyond

Written by Christine Symes and Saige Lindsay Over the past year, there have been several changes proposed and implemented by the National and Act coalition government within the realm of employment law; affecting both employers and employees. Below is a summary of these changes and how they may affect you. The minimum wage increase On 17 December 2024, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden announced that the minimum wage will increase by 35 cents to $23.50 per hour, and the...