Ashurst Legal Outlook Podcast

Episoder

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  Industrious Conversations: Final Report of the Closing Loopholes review 14.09.2026 20min

  The independent review into Australia’s Closing Loopholes reforms has landed, and it brings little comfort for employers. In this episode of Industrious Conversations, we pinpoint some of the major findings that business leaders should be across. Ashurst Perkins Coie partners Shelley Williams and Peter McNulty discuss what the review had to say about: • wage compliance and the criminalisation of wage theft;• the employee definition changes; and• the intractable bargaining regime’s “no less favourable” constraint. They also preview the Labor Party’s 2026 draft national platform, including its focus on full employment, portability of entitlements and psychosocial hazards. Overall, Peter reflects: “The Loopholes review really recognises that there are significant burdens and complexities [for employers] arising from this new legislation but, for the large part, [the review] recognises that … these changes were designed to impose greater burdens on employers.” Searching for upsides, Peter adds that “the commentary on the ‘no less favourable’ test is probably where there is one glimmer of hope for employers coming out of the review.”Hear the full story by searching “Legal Outlook by Ashurst Perkins Coie” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. Find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts at ashurstperkinscoie.com/podcasts The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Women in Tech: Accessible Intelligence — AI at the intersection of accessibility and Legal Ops 20.08.2026 27min

  In our next episode of the Ashurst Perkins Coie Women in Tech podcast, host Denae Erasmus is joined by Luisa de Gouveia, Head of Legal Operations at Sky, to explore the evolving impact of AI in legal operations.
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  Data centers: Powering Australia’s AI boom, part 1 11.08.2026 19min

  Australia’s power grid was already feeling the strain before demand surged from data centers. So how can developers become part of the energy solution? In the first of a two-part series, we tackle connection standards, cost allocation and the shifting regulatory landscape.
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  Data centers: Powering Australia’s AI boom, part 2 11.08.2026 19min

  Data center operators are becoming more sophisticated energy players – from securing renewable offtake to exploring behind-the-meter generation and grid services revenue. In the second of this two-part episode, we run the rule over procurement structures in Australia’s electricity market.
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  Class Actions and Consumer Law: Managing the Risk 10.08.2026 17min

  Consumer law is becoming an increasingly common driver of class actions. In this episode we explore the legal developments shaping this trend, the areas of greatest risk for businesses, and the practical steps organisations can take to reduce their exposure.
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  Takeover Talks: The Times They Are A-Changin' 24.07.2026 31min

  M&A transactions have become increasingly complex over the past decade in a number of ways. Regulatory conditions in particular have become more prevalent and introduce additional execution risk.
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  Inside Structured Leverage: Episode 2 – The First Date. Choosing the Right Structured Leverage Partner 21.07.2026 51min

  Relationships are at the heart of successful structured leverage transactions. In this episode we discuss what makes the right financing partner, how borrowers should assess potential providers, and the key commercial and structural factors to consider.
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  Governance & Compliance 13: Employment Rights Act reshapes risk and governance 15.05.2026 20min

  The Employment Rights Act 2025 is the most transformative shift in UK employment law in a generation. For boards of organisations with UK employees, there’s a lot to get to grips with.
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  Ahead of the Deal: Emma Rapaport, Street Talk 14.05.2026 10min

  Emma Rapaport, journalist behind the Australian Financial Review's influential Street Talk deals column, joins Ahead of the Deal. She reveals how the column operates to the quirky ways tips arrive, plus her outlook on the 2026 deal market.
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  Governance & Compliance 12: Why the numbers must stack up behind your net zero plans 07.05.2026 18min

  Setting (and delivering) a climate transition plan is about more than regulatory box-ticking or PR spin. Credible plans are fast becoming a key facilitator for any company seeking to raise capital. In this episode, we discuss what investors want and where companies could be falling short.
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  Companies braced for rising geopolitical risk exposure 06.05.2026 32min

  Businesses around the globe are facing heightened risk exposure and cost pressures as geopolitical disruption and price volatility continues to rise. In this episode, we pinpoint what to watch out for and we suggest ways to minimise exposure and mitigate the impact of potential disputes.
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  Governance & Compliance 11: Geopolitical risk and supply chains. Is your Board ready? 30.04.2026 21min

  Supply chain risk is nothing new for boards. What’s changed is the sheer speed and scale of this risk – and the board’s elevated accountability for it. In this episode, we look at why geopolitical scenario modelling is now core business planning.
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  World@Work: Whistleblowers, Investigations & the Boardroom - A Multi-Jurisdictional Lens 30.04.2026 21min

  Boards must tread carefully when misconduct allegations are made against C-suite leaders. In this episode, we discuss the balancing act of protecting whistleblowers and ensuring executives get a fair hearing. Similar and contrasting perspectives are shared from Australia, Singapore, France and the UK.
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  Ahead of the Deal: Boards and Takeovers 29.04.2026 13min

  Tony Damian and Amelia Morgan are joined by veteran M&A practitioner John O'Sullivan ("JO'S") to unpack the board's role in takeovers. JO'S shares candid insights on preparing for bids, the value of a strong share price, advice for bidders, and why the Takeovers Panel remains a vital Australian institution.
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  Takeover Talks: Everything Must Go 21.04.2026 18min

  Six targets initiated either a private sale process, formal sale process or strategic review in the first quarter. We also saw shareholders pushing back on recommended deals. In the latest podcast, Harry, Maria and Jade unpick the reasons behind the uptick in target-led sale processes and the increase in defensive mandates.
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  Ahead of the Deal: Pre-bid exclusivity 14.04.2026 5min

  Australian M&A partners Tony Damian and Amelia Morgan explore pre-bid exclusivity, including 'hard' and 'soft' exclusivity, Takeovers Panel guidance, and recent market examples.
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  Ahead of the Deal: The new ACCC merger regime 25.03.2026 7min

  Competition partner Alyssa Phillips unpacks Australia's new mandatory merger control regime and what deal-makers need to know ahead of the 1 April changes.
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  Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: Water consumption 20.03.2026 36min

  Our continuing series takes an unflinching look at a vexed issue: how much water is required to keep the world’s data centres running. To illustrate this, we put the UK in the spotlight to consider the nation’s rules, regulations, and innovations designed to minimise water consumption in future.
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  Inside Structured Leverage: The Artist formerly known as Back Leverage 10.03.2026 31min

  Europe’s back leverage market has swelled recently. In this episode we consider the limitations of the label “back leverage”, explain what it covers, why it matters, and where it’s headed. We also offer several practical pointers for structuring transactions effectively.
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  Taxed Out: YTL, Newmont and the future of TARP 10.03.2026 13min

  Last year, two Division 855 decisions reshaped the meaning of “real property” for CGT purposes, narrowing the Commissioner’s reach and raising the stakes for infrastructure and resources deals.