Businesses exporting products around the world can now apply for the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG). Applications can be completed and submitted online up until 30 November 2017.

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan) Bill 2016 was recently passed by the Senate containing amendments to progressively reduce the corporate tax rate and increase the small business turnover thresholds for access to small business tax concessions. 

On 06 December 2016, the Commissioner of Taxation issued the Discussion Paper TDP 2016/1 on issues concerning electronic distribution platforms (EDPs). The discussion paper seeks feedback in relation to the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) rules for digital suppliers and services affecting EDPs from 1 July 2017.

Congratulations to Sladen Legal on "Best New International BCorp" Award.

The Lantern Legal Group, comprised of law firms Sladen Legal and Harwood Andrews, was recently nominated for the B Corp ‘Rookie of the Year’ award at the B Corp Champions Retreat in Portland, USA. This award acknowledges businesses that have actively contributed to the B Corp movement and made a positive impact in their communities over the past year.

Lantern Legal Group was the only Australian business to be nominated in this category, which includes well-known international businesses

Powerful business figure, Janet Dore, has been appointed as chair of the Lantern Legal Group, parent company of Sladen Legal.

Janet, who last month ended a seven-year tenure as chief executive of the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), will bring high-level organisational experience to the firm. In her role at TAC she was responsible for the successful implementation of a six-year strategy to achieve a $600m reduction in liabilities.

On 1 September 2015, the Powers of Attorney Act 2014 (The Act) introduced new civil and criminal penalties for misuse of an enduring power of attorney. The new penalties include a fine of up to $91,000 or up to five years imprisonment.

New powers of attorneys will come into effect in Victoria from 1 September 2015.

Parent company of law firms Sladen Legal and Harwood Andrews – The Lantern Legal Group Pty Ltd – has been awarded certification as a B Corporation.

The Lantern Legal Group joins businesses such as well-known adventure apparel brand Patagonia, thriving online marketplace Etsy and ice-cream company Ben & Jerry’s to be awarded with the certification.  

Proposed amendments to the employee share scheme provisions for start-ups.

On 14 October 2014, the Honourable Bruce Billson, the Honourable Tony Abbott and the Honourable Joe Hockey issued a media release titled "Encouraging employee share ownership and entrepreneurship".

The position of the Government in respect of the application of the employee share scheme (ESS) provisions to start ups has been long awaited, with it being seen as fundamental to the innovative nature of start-up companies, and the need to ensure that they retain a work environment that fosters new ideas.

Sladen Legal's managing principal, Dan Simmonds, was recently asked for his thoughts on the priorities for the next state government's agenda.

This article was published in the spring edition of VECCI’s magazine Business Excellence magazine, 2014.

Sladen Legal Principal, Meagan O’Connor, was recently interviewed as part of a discussion with Business Chicks about why you need a mentor, and how it might be the best thing for your career.

In this article (published in “Latte” - the Business Chicks magazine), Meagan discusses her outlook on mentoring in the workplace, and how the corporate world is becoming better structured to mentor women through their careers.