Keypoint Law

Highlighting the pace of change in digital markets and social media, the Federal Government has, in little more than a week, released exposure drafts of bills amending the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth). They follow amendments to the Australian Consumer Law, passed in July 2026 and commencing operation on 1 July 2027, which introduce a general prohibition on unfair trading practices aimed at digital commerce.

On 31 August, the Attorney-General’s Department released the Exposure Draft of the Privacy Amendment (Personal Data Protection) Bill 2026 (Bill), together with a consultation paper.

Australians have watched with growing trepidation the roasting of the Northern Hemisphere this summer. Many are wondering what the extremes of heat, drought and fire in places such as Germany, the UK and Canada might mean for Australia’s looming summer. According to the Climate Change Authority, a strong majority of Australians (consistently around 70–80%) express concern about climate change and strong support for renewable energy (typically around 75–85%).

This article considers the recent Supreme Court of New South Wales decision in Crescent Capital Ltd as trustee for the Rockdale Central Security Trust v Chanine [2026] NSWSC 371 on the enforceability of a default interest clause in a commercial construction loan agreement with a non-bank lender. The Facts The plaintiff was the security trustee of a private equity investment group. The defendant was the borrower who was an experienced property developer.

The credit market is a highly competitive one and developers seeking construction funding are spoilt for choice. However, the current economic climate has led lenders to become increasingly selective about the construction projects which they are willing to fund. This means that developers should be well prepared before approaching potential lenders in order to give themselves the best chance of securing funding on competitive terms.

As we experience an increase in severe weather events and 1 in 100-year rainfall/flooding events (also known as 1% annual exceedance probability, or AEP, events) become more common, I am finding more and more clients are coming to me with complaints about the volume of stormwater being discharged onto their property from adjoining high ground, usually a neighbouring residential lot.

Keypoint Law has advised Taylor Bros Marine Pty Ltd on its acquisition by Highwater, a leading global naval services company supporting Allied naval readiness across Australia and the United States. The transaction brings together Taylor Bros’ specialist engineering, marine outfitting and habitability capabilities with Highwater’s growing naval preservation and sustainment platform, creating a leading Australian provider of sovereign naval sustainment capabilities.

In a recent decision, the Federal Court of Australia dispensed with the ordinary rule requiring an amending party to pay costs thrown away in circumstances where the parties shared the responsibility for the circumstances that gave rise to the need for amendment: Cathro v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue, in the matter of Cubic Interiors NSW Pty Ltd (in liquidation) [2026] FCA 275.

A practical guide for employers and employees on the use of social media Your employees are on social media. Some are posting opinions, commenting on politics, tagging colleagues, and occasionally saying damaging things about your business or their colleagues. You already know this. What you may not know is where the law draws the line between a private life lived online and conduct that gives an employer grounds to act.

Keypoint Consulting Principal, Deidre Missingham, has been recommended by Doyle’s Guide for Leading Administrative & Public Lawyer Rankings – Victoria, 2026 The 2026 listing of leading Victorian Administrative, Public Law & Judicial Review Lawyers details solicitors practising in Administrative Law, Public Law, Freedom of Information & Judicial Review matters within the Victorian legal market who have been identified by clients and peers  for their expertise and abilities in these areas.