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Thomson Geer is pleased to announce the promotion of three lawyers to the firm's partnership.

Welcome to the latest issue of our SA Public Sector Newsletter.The South Australian government has responded to last week’s Federal Budget by announcing a historic agreement that will see struggling South Australian households and businesses receive hundreds of dollars in energy bill rebates. The SA Government has committed $127.2 million for the National Energy Bill Relief Plan, which will be matched by the Commonwealth dollar for dollar.The Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice report has recommended that the Federal Government pass the Constitution Alteration Bill without amendment. The Committee’s recommendation reflects the overwhelming consensus of constitutional and legal experts, who told the Committee that the amendment is constitutionally sound.The newsletter also includes our usual round-up of practice notes, cases and legislation.

The New South Wales Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Tydd, has commended “the strengthening of NSW information access legislation” through recent amendments to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) and Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2018 (GIPA Regulation). The Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice report has recommended that the Federal Government pass the Constitution Alteration Bill without amendment. The Committee’s recommendation reflects the overwhelming consensus of constitutional and legal experts, who told the Committee that the amendment is constitutionally sound. The newsletter also includes our usual round-up of practice notes, cases and legislation.

The Victorian State Budget has announced funding that will support Victorians to receive appropriate legal assistance through the Help Before Court program. A $22.8 million sum was also allocated to provide Specialist Family Violence Legal Assistance in various locations across Victoria. The Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice report has recommended that the Federal Government pass the Constitution Alteration Bill without amendment. The Committee’s recommendation reflects the overwhelming consensus of constitutional and legal experts, who told the Committee that the amendment is constitutionally sound.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has released a comprehensive review of the operating environment supporting the Reserve Bank Information and Transfer System (RITS). The review was commissioned in January and was conducted by Deloitte. The RBA is committed to implementing the recommendations in the review in order to maintain the highest operational standards. The Australian Banking Association has welcomed key initiatives in the 2023-24 Federal Budget that invest in fighting scams and fraud, bolstering online safety and increased gambling protections. Key initiatives include an $86.5 million package to combat scams and online fraud, including $58 million to build the National Anti-Scam Centre plus establish ‘Fusion Cells’ to target specific scams. The newsletter also includes our usual round-up of practice notes, cases and legislation.

Thomson Geer is advising lithium miner Leo Lithium Ltd on a strategic placement of shares that will raise A$106.1 million from joint venture partner and China's largest lithium producer Ganfeng.

The recent case of Calix Limited v Grenof Pty Ltd & Aquadex Pty Ltd (Calix v Grenof) marks the first time the Federal Court of Australia has analysed section 121A of the Patents Act 1990 (Cth) (Act), a provision that reverses the burden of proof in patent infringement proceedings under specific circumstances.

Thomson Geer is advising early learning centre owner and operator Embark Education Group Ltd on its proposed delisting from the New Zealand Stock Exchange and re-domicile on the Australian Securities Exchange.