We win cases like yours

This blog piece provides an update about the class action against Colonial First State and Commonwealth Bank (CBA), the first class action launched in our ‘Get Your Super Back’ campaign. The Court recently granted us permission to file an amended statement of claim that adds two new claims to the case, relating to term deposits and adviser commissions. The first claim extends the case to cover term deposits. Members of Colonial can choose to place part of their super in term deposits. The only term deposits Colonial offers are with CBA, even though other banks offered higher interest rates. We allege that Colonial should have demanded higher interest rates from CBA or offered term...

Franchises are everywhere – from fast-food chains like Subway – to fitness companies like Anytime Fitness. Franchises are understandably enticing because you are purchasing rights in a company which has already built up a solid reputation. However, it is important to understand the implications of a franchise agreement, as franchises come with unique risks that would not be involved if you were to start your own business from scratch. People who are new to franchising may find franchise agreements and associated documents to be quite daunting. Having a good understanding of these documents, and the rights and obligations they create for the franchisor and franchisee, is crucial to...

In September the Federal Circuit Court fined the director of a cleaning business for underpaying three vulnerable South Korean migrant workers by $10,000. If the director had stolen $10,000, he would have faced years in prison. Because it's ‘only wage theft’, he got a fine. For the cleaners missing out, it doesn’t feel that different. Wage theft is rampant in Australia. UNSW has identified over $1 billion in stolen wages across our economy. Yet the Fair Work Ombudsman’s annual report suggests that last year it handed out only $7.2 million in in penalties. For many businesses, they do the maths and decide it’s a risk they are willing to take. That’s why Labor’s announcement...