In this, the fourth instalment of Industrious Conversations, Ashurst’s Jennie Mansfield and Jon Lovell detail the impact of Australia’s "Closing the Loophole" industrial relations changes on corporate transactions, offering critical insights into the practical impact of these developments.

The discussion centres on the commercial challenges introduced by these changes, particularly in relation to due diligence processes, labour hire, casual employment, and independent contractor arrangements. Jennie and Jon explain how these reforms affect deal-making and due diligence, where uncertainty around labour costs and employment models can complicate transactions. They also stress the importance of assessing a company's governance and systems for managing compliance, highlighting the risks of non-compliance and the significant penalties that may arise. Jon notes, "If compliance issues are identified, it's essential to have a clear program and strategy in place for remedying the non-compliance within a reasonable period following completion."

To hear more episodes in Industrious Conversations, our series on Australian industrial relations, subscribe to Ashurst Legal Outlook on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

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.