Hamilton Locke

A big congratulations to Brett Heading for being recognised as Queensland Solicitor of the Year (Large Firm) in the Queensland Law Society Excellence in Law Awards! The QLS Excellence in Law Awards shine a light on the exemplary efforts of Queensland’s legal professionals—highlighting good law, good lawyers, for the public good. And anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing (or working with) Brett knows that this description truly encapsulates his role as both a lawyer and a Queenslander. Brett is deeply passionate about the state he calls home and, over the course of his remarkable 43-year career, he has played a pivotal role in Queensland’s economic development by assisting in the formation, development, financing, and listing of numerous local companies. Beyond his daily work, Brett is highly active in the community and was also a long-serving member of several Federal Government organisations, including the Takeovers Panel, Board of Taxation and CAMAC Legal Committee. Well done Brett – a truly well deserved win!

Adventure awaits, and this year, it took us to the heart of Darwin! We recently hosted the first two trips of our annual Adventure Club, exploring all the stunning landscapes that Darwin has to offer. Our explorations took us on a hike through Litchfield Park, fishing in Darwin Harbour and for the brave, a Wetlands Cruise to Corroboree Billabong. These trips are all about stepping away from the daily grind and getting to know each other in a whole new environment. At Hamilton Locke, our People Experience (Px) is at the heart of what we do. Our Adventure Club is an annual tradition that brings our people together for a few days to build stronger bonds, create lasting memories and form new connections across our offices. It's a time for everyone to push beyond their comfort zones and truly embrace the spirit of adventure. A huge thank you to everyone who made this incredible experience possible and to the fantastic group who joined us for this memorable journey! We can’t wait for the next Adventure Club trips lined up this year.

Are SAFE Notes really safe? We unpack the hidden complexities you need to know. SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity) have become a go-to tool for start-ups to quickly access capital without the intricacies of traditional debt and equity. But, as the name suggests, are they truly as "simple" and "safe" as they appear? In our latest article, we dive into the nuances of SAFEs and explore the potential pitfalls that both companies and investors should be aware of. For more information, read our latest article or get in touch with Peter Williams and Julian Ilett.

About last week…   A big thank you to our guest speaker Dr. Madeline Taylor and all who attended last week’s New Energy Associates Network (NEAN) fireside chat on the intersection of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and agrivoltaics and a special shout out to our moderators Adriaan van der Merwe and William Ryan.   It was great to see so many minds eager to discuss the current state of play in the adoption of agrivoltaics in Australia, the symbiotic relationship between solar and farming, insights from global approaches and the importance of social contract (between landowners, developers and government) for the wide adoption and integration of DER.   Key highlights: 1. While other countries like Japan, Germany, and the US are more progressed with agrivoltaics, Australia still lacks the necessary research and advisory support to drive its adoption. There is also a significant gap in understanding the ecological impact of agrivoltaics in arid environments. Dr. Madeline Taylor's ongoing research on the 'Australian Agrivoltaics Regulation Model' will play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of what broader adoption of agrivoltaics in Australia could look like. 2. We asked Dr. Madeline Taylor what she would like to see the government do to accelerate the adoption of DER. She emphasised the need for the Australian government to introduce an agricultural decarbonisation policy and urged the government to be bold, advocating for a regulatory sandbox to foster and support innovation. 3. DER is clearly here to stay and is the way of the future! It was a pleasure to be able to host this event and we look forward to the next one! Want to be added to the mailing list for the next NEAN event? Please reach out to David O'Carroll.

As winter draws to a close, we are thrilled to present the latest edition of our New Energy Quarterly – Distributed Energy Resources. Distributed energy resources (DERs) are transforming the Australian National Energy Market. This edition explores the rapid growth of DERs, from rooftop solar’s increasing contribution to Australia’s energy mix to the future potential of agrisolar and Virtual Power Plants. As these resources gain momentum, we examine their role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient energy future and discuss the key challenges and opportunities in the space. Visit our website to download your copy today. https://lnkd.in/grGf-iE5 For more information, please reach out to Matt Baumgurtel, Adriaan van der Merwe and Conor Bates. Stay up to date and subscribe to receive future publications here: https://lnkd.in/gh5N4rJN. 

Introducing This Is Us - a series dedicated to sharing the stories of the incredible people that make up Hamilton Locke. Each edition offers a glimpse into the lives of our colleagues – revealing a little bit more about what makes them tick, their journey in law and how they found themselves at Hamilton Locke. For our very first edition, we shine a spotlight on Mairead Finn, Special Counsel in our Banking & Finance team. From starting her legal career in Dublin to making her mark in Perth, Mairead’s journey is a testament to determination and passion. Drawn to the dynamic opportunities in Australia, she joined Hamilton Locke where she now plays a key role in our Banking & Finance team. Mairead is deeply committed to advancing diversity and inclusion and she’s passionate about supporting the next generation of leaders in law. Discover her story: https://lnkd.in/eb5VpgyJ 

How can we reshape the construction industry's future through collaboration and innovation? Last week, construction partners Veno Panicker and Elena Stojcevski set out to answer this at the inaugural Australian Constructors Association (ACA) Foundations and Frontiers 2024 Forum. The day was filled with thought-provoking presentations from key stakeholders in the construction industry from government, unions, contractors and subcontractors. One of the key thematic takeaways included how the industry can collaborate better with participants and stakeholders to change culture – namely, not only for workforce wellbeing and attracting new employees, but also contracting models, risk allocation and innovative design and delivery. An important message was that the construction industry continues to evolve and adapt. A powerful process to foster real change has begun and it’s an exciting time to be a part of this sector. Hats off to Jon Davies, Megan Anderson, Annabel Crookes and the ACA team for this fantastic dialogue between industry stakeholders. #FF24

A snapshot of AI regulation in Australia and overseas. With the ongoing adoption and rapid development of AI-driven technologies, lawmakers are continuing to sharpen their focus on the appropriate approach to ensure safe and responsible development and use of AI. In this article, Sophie Bradshaw, Janice Yew, Verity Stone and Adam Rose step through recent developments in AI regulation. They cover everything Australian businesses should be aware of whether designing, developing or using AI-enabled systems.    https://lnkd.in/ggaKHsfw

The Government has released Exposure Draft legislation for its proposed merger control reforms, and there are a few surprises in store. From uncertainty around the meaning of “control” to changes in the all-important “substantial lessening of competition” test, these developments will inevitably reshape dealmaking strategies. Here’s what you need to be across: 1. The notification thresholds are still unclear: The draft legislation doesn’t the specify the transaction value, party turnover, and/or market share thresholds for mandatory notifications, leaving these crucial details to future announcements and regulation. 2. The definition of “control” is broad: An acquisition of shares is presumed to be caught (subject to the thresholds above, once implemented) if it confers only 20% or more voting power. 3. The ACCC will be able to deem notifications incomplete, and reset review timelines if material changes of fact occur, increasing timing uncertainty for approvals. 4. Changes to the “substantial lessening of competition” test: The exposure draft expands the test to include the mere strengthening or entrenching of market power, potentially increasing the ACCC’s ability to challenge a range of anti-competitive practices. 5. The consultation window for feedback is very brief, suggesting the legislation will be fast-tracked with limited opportunity for amendments. As these reforms could significantly impact your future transactions, staying informed is key. For detailed advice tailored to your specific needs, contact Alistair Newton. Read the full article to understand these changes and their potential implications: https://lnkd.in/g8QntE5f

Choosing the right Responsible Managers is crucial for any financial services business. They're the ones driving quality and overseeing how financial services are provided. But who qualifies? Here's a breakdown: experienced, knowledgeable and 'fit and proper' individuals are essential. In our latest article, Jaime Lumsden and Sónia Cruz provide a breakdown of who qualifies to be a Responsible Manager, their role, and what it takes to meet ASIC's standards. #FinancialServices #ResponsibleManagers #licensing #AFSL #ACL