Our latest insights

Expert evidence – in both written form in the witness box – is a critical element of any legal proceedings. However, it is an Expert’s conduct in the witness box under cross-examination that is often the most commented upon by the Court through the judgments published.

Family relationships are some of the most crucial in your life, and therefore, they are inherently clouded by emotions. But, when a business relationship is also thrown into the mix, what is the best way to navigate these emotions?

On 10 November, APRA released their insights from their latest risk culture survey in an Insight, “No room for complacency on bank risk culture”. This survey was rolled out to 18 ADIs in late 2021. APRA’s analysis included matters for ADIs to consider, however in our experience these could equally be applied to insurers and Registerable Superannuation Entity Licences (RSELs).

With disruption caused by ongoing pandemic considerations, a new COVID-19 wave on the horizon, enduring supply chain issues and inflation front of mind, retailers have faced uncertainty on all fronts. Yet with people looking forward to a sense of normality this festive season, retailers have been bracing for Black Friday weekend like never before.

With soaring building costs and interest rates on the rise, builders and property developers are seeing their margins eroded and losses accumulating from development projects.

An agile, efficient and forward-looking finance function is central to business growth and success. It therefore needs to evolve faster than the business itself. This requires ongoing investment in new technologies, processes and skillsets in the finance function to ensure it’s well positioned to spearhead business efficiency and value creation

One of the most common ways of managing operational risk is through a system of effective internal controls. Control failures however can lead to events as varied as mis-selling, data breaches and underpayments – as such in APRA's Prudential Standard CPS 230 they have strengthened the focus on operational risk management. In this second series of our CPS 230 technical guides we provide an overview of some necessary elements to achieve strong operational risk management and why it is the foundation of operational resilience.

The 2022-23 Federal Budget committed over $20b towards renewable energy projects and initiatives in its push to cut carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030. Is it enough to aid the energy supply and demand challenge forecasted by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in its recent 2022 Electricity Statement of Opportunities Report?

Board members generally have deep expertise in particular aspects of business management or the industry in which the family business operates. The Board is particularly focused on the business’s strategy, operations, and leadership advisory.

While manufacturing has shown resilience and agility to pivot in the face of the pandemic, the pathway to the solidly Australia-based manufacturing capability the Albanese Government’s seeks, where we are able to “build what we need” and “rebuild our proud manufacturing industry”, is still somewhat unclear.

The Federal Government, along with the New South Wales, Victorian and Tasmanian State Governments, have now released jointly funded support packages for those affected by the recent floods.

In many legal disputes where a business is involved, the value of the business is integral to the outcome of the dispute. But is it the value of the business that is required, or the value of the entity which operates the business?