Murdoch and me

Rupert Murdoch has recently acquired the Wall Street Journal, provoking fears of further erosion of independence and serious comment.

This first edition of my newsletter is not necessarily a response to that recent acquisition, but nevertheless one door closes and another opens – Brian Hillman’s Bugle!

Land of milk and honey?

Australia’s immigration intake is at record levels. The figures below (OECD 2006) indicate that the attraction is not purely economic.  While comfort can be drawn from growth of major trading partners, China and India, with expanding raw material needs, inflation is a concern.

Criteria

Australia

China

France

Germany

India

Japan

United
Kingdom

U S A

GDP

$674.6 billion

$2.518 trillion

$2.149 trillion

$2.872 trillion

$804 billion

$4.883 trillion

$2.346 trillion

$13.21 trillion

GDP per capita

$33,000

$7,700

$31,100

$31,900

$3,800

$33,100

$31,800

$44,000

GDP growth

2.7%

10.7%

2.1%

2.7%

9.2%

2.2%

2.8%

3.2%

Unemployment

4.9%

4.2%

8.7%

7.1%

7.8%

4.1%

2.9%

4.8%

Inflation

3.8%

1.5%

1.5%

1.7%

5.3%

0.3%

3.0%

2.5%

An important part of the attraction may be explained by perceived lifestyle, climate and optimism for the future.  In the eyes of aspiring immigrants Australia remains the “lucky country”.

Changes – new chances

As of 1 September 2007, the skilled migration program of Australia is to be radically altered.  Those people with recognised skills, work experience and high level of English will be advantaged.

Interestingly, a new visa (subclass 485) will be created to allow skilled graduates to remain or to return to Australia and obtain an 18 months’ unrestricted visa in order to gain more points to qualify under the new skilled migration program.

Short cuts

There will continue to be subclass 457 visas for foreign workers who can be sponsored into Australia for temporary employment.

Legislation has been tightened up progressively to ensure that sponsoring employers are up to the task.  Employers are now facing fines of $66,000 for employing an illegal worker or referring an illegal worker for work in another business.

Your business - you can deal yourself a good hand

Many commercial clients find themselves with onerous leases.

Remember it’s always a good idea to discuss with your lawyer at the stage of negotiation with the lessor.  All things are negotiable! 

As a lessee of retail premises you cannot be charged for lease preparation costs, but you may be charged for amendments to the lease as issued by the lessor’s lawyers.  For commercial leases for premises which are not retail, the lessor may pass legal costs onto the lessee.  This, like anything else, can be negotiated.

The Spanish Inquisition is back?

The author has recently qualified for admission as a notary public.

Notaries public were previously church lawyers, and until 1985 were appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.  This does not mean that I will be able to officiate at the burning of heretics or exorcisms, but a notary public is able to certify documents for legalisation for use outside Australia – facilitating and expediting international transactions.

First, we will kill all the lawyers!

Recent survey carried out by MSI Legal and Accounting listed the most trusted professions in Australia as follows

Brian Hillman

Disclaimer
This newsletter is by way of general information only.  It is not intended to serve or be used as legal advice.  If you want legal advice for the issues referred to above or any other matter, please consult a lawyer at Hillman Laxon Tobias Lawyers or elsewhere.

The views expressed are mine and do not necessarily reflect those of other members of the firm, Hillman Laxon Tobias Lawyers.

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I hope that this issue of Brian Hillman's Bugle is of interest to you.  If you have any comments or recommendations, feel free to contact us.

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