October A coastal change - Draft Queensland Coastal Plan 2009 released - The draft Queensland Coastal Plan aims to assist the management and protection of Queensland's coastline against coastal hazards including erosion, storm-tide inundation and sea-level rise, as well as the increasing population and development. A new model of statutory inquiries? - Philip Harrison updates us on the latest on the Australian Law Reform Commission's review of the provisions and operation of the Royal Commissions Act 1902. Are you being served: Unfair contract terms - How will the changes to the laws on unfair contracts affect government operations? Alexandra Wedutenko and Jacqui Real explain how they will work and what they will mean. Changes in government procurement policies in response to the global economic crisis - Governments responded to the global financial crisis in various ways. James Stellios considers the way they are using procurement policies to ease the downturn. Changes on the way for CDDA? - When government advice, information or practices is deficient, those affected can be compensated, but how well does the scheme work? Philip Harrison discusses the recent suggestions made to improve the Scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration. COAG pushes for national harmonised planning laws - The Council of Australian Governments meeting in June 2009 produced some significant initiatives in planning reform, as Nick Thomas explains. Corporate brand vs corporate veil: liability for misleading or deceptive promotional activities - Nick Miller, Sam Cottell and Adrian Quah explain how a subsidiary's marketing activities got its parent into trouble. Global warming a public nuisance? US Court of Appeal allows public nuisance case to proceed - A recent US case could be a catalyst for Australian activists to also consider the use of public nuisance to address and highlight global warming, says Brendan Bateman. Historic reforms to telecommunications regulation - The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2009 is aimed at Telstra's vertical and horizontal integration, streamlining the access and anti-competitive conduct regimes, and consumer safeguards. Important changes recommended by draft report - The Productivity Commission's draft report on gambling has been released today, and its draft recommendations, if adopted, would dramatically transform the structure and dynamics of the racing and wagering industry, result in significant changes in the gaming industry's approach to harm minimisation and reintroduce online gaming into Australia. Octaviar: Application for special leave to appeal - The next stage of the Octaviar case has been reached, with the making of an application for special leave to appeal to the high court. Pape and government spending - no cause for alarm - John Carroll and James Stellios explain how the decision on the stimulus package, Pape, will affect Commonwealth spending. Planning reform crucial to tourism development - Brett Gale, TTF Executive Director, discusses TTF's efforts to bring greater certainty to Australia's patchwork of planning laws, the National Tourism Planning Code. Proxy wars - How does a proxy handling facility work and what are the benefits? Matt Anderson and Kristie Brown look at the design and use of a proxy handling facility during the recent attempt to replace the responsible entity of City Pacific First Mortgage Fund. State planning reforms roll on - but all in the same direction? - Planning laws across the country are being reformed, but are we any closer to a harmonised system? Our Environment and Planning team rounds up the changes underway in each State and Territory. Disclaimer Clayton Utz communications are intended to provide commentary and general information. They should not be relied upon as legal advice. Formal legal advice should be sought in particular transactions or on matters of interest arising from this communication. Persons listed may not be admitted in all States and Territories.