Begg Legal

04/03/2026

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27/02/2026

MA*****NA AND FAMILY LAW

The social attitude towards ma*****na is constantly changing and evolving, and this is reflected in the state and territory laws around Australia. Prescription ma*****na for medical use is legal throughout Australia, and recreational ma*****na use (without a prescription) is legal in the Australian Capital Territory.

If you are using it legally, does this mean that you can use ma*****na when you have children at home with you?

Not necessarily.

Read more on our latest blog:

https://www.begglegal.com.au/blog/medical-ma*****na-and-family-law

11/02/2026

We’ve notified Roblox of our intention to directly test the safety commitments they made last year amid growing concerns regarding child grooming and sexual exploitation risks.

Following engagement with us at a senior level in 2025, Roblox made 9 commitments to support compliance with its obligation to keep Australians – particularly children – safer on their platform.

Roblox informed us at the end of 2025 that it had delivered on its commitments which included:
🛡️ making accounts for users aged under 16 private by default
🛡️ introducing tools to prevent adult users from contacting under 16s without parental consent
🛡️ switching off key features by default for Australian kids like direct chat and ‘experience chat’ until the user has gone through age estimation
🛡️ voice chat will not be allowed between adults and 13–15-year-olds, in addition to the current prohibition on the use of this feature by under 13s.

We’ve been monitoring the delivery of these commitments alongside our broader assessment of the service and any new features it implements.

Subject to the outcome of this assessment and testing, we may take further action under the Online Safety Act.

Penalties for failing to comply with the Act, include seeking penalties of up to $49.5 million.

New codes focused on age-restricted material such as online po*******hy, high impact violence and self-harm come into force on 9 March and apply to Roblox.

These also contain requirements for online gaming services to prohibit and take proportionate action against non-consensual sharing of intimate images, the grooming of children and sexual extortion.

For information about Roblox and key safety links, see The eSafety Guide: https://news.esafety.gov.au/4nrffAc

11/02/2026

"We urge all Australians to think twice before clicking on ads they see on social media which claim to be from a boutique business based in a local town or city,” ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said. “The websites often use a similar format to many other online stores, advertising high quality boutique clothing at heavily discounted prices. However, when the product arrives in the mail, consumers report receiving cheap, mass-produced products that have been sold at an inflated price and do not fit their advertised quality or description.”

"The ACCC recommends staying vigilant. Some signs a business may be a ghost store include: a non-Australian domain (.com rather than.com.au); suspiciously low prices; no accurate local contact information; a returns policy that says customers must send items back overseas; a fake backstory relating to the closure of the business; and Meta ads that use a closing-down sale as a hook.

If you think you might be interacting with a ghost store, consult review sites like Trustpilot, use the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine to check when the site came online, check the business name on the Australian Business Register lookup, or use reverse image search to see if product photos are listed elsewhere."

https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/consumers-warned-about-ghost-stores-imitating-australian-businesses

https://www.broadsheet.com.au/featured/ghost-fashion-stores-scam

The ACCC is warning consumers about the operators of four websites allegedly misrepresenting themselves as local businesses, also known as 'ghost stores'.

25/11/2025

A new blog is up just in time for Christmas mayhem. Find out what you can do if your ex doesn't comply with your parenting agreement over Christmas.

https://www.begglegal.com.au/blog/its-christmas-and-my-ex-wont-return-the-kids-to-me

01/08/2025

All Begg Legal phone lines are up and running!

Here are our contact details if you need to get in touch:

Phone: (02) 4934 4257
Mobile: 0477 982 498
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.begglegal.com.au
Postal: PO Box 2214, Green Hills NSW 2323

WELCOME TO BEGG LEGAL Ashlea Begg is dedicated to providing you with high quality and empathetic legal services throughout New South Wales and Canberra. In addition to in-person services, I am happy to conduct appointments via Microsoft Teams and will gladly advise and provide ongoing representation...

26/07/2025

The legal use of formerly-illicit substances for treatment of health and mental health conditions is challenging traditional notions of drug use in family law proceedings. These cases need to be managed by an experienced lawyer who can navigate the delicate "best interest" considerations in parenting matters. If you need some advice about your parenting situation, reach out to Ashlea at Begg Legal - www.begglegal.com.au

A Melbourne facility has manufactured 10,000 capsules that will be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

Read more: https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/world-leading-mdma-production-kicks-off-in-australia-20250722-p5mgwx

21/06/2025

Three major retailers have paid penalties for allegedly making false and misleading representations about their Black Friday sales, after we issued each of them with an infringement notice.

This follows an ACCC sweep of dozens of sales advertisements for last year’s Black Friday and post-Christmas sales events which identified concerns that the ads misrepresented the size and scope of discounts being offered to consumers.

“Advertisements that talk about ‘sitewide’ or ‘storewide’ sales or promise discounts ‘off everything’ should deliver what customers expect, and not be used by retailers to hook consumers under false pretences.” – ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe.

Read more: https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/michael-hill-myhouse-and-hairhouse-online-pay-penalties-over-alleged-misleading-black-friday-sitewide-sales

21/06/2025

Outrageous work-related and rental property claims are among the things the Tax Office will be on the hunt for at the end of this financial year.

09/05/2025

When parents separate, both still have a legal responsibility to financially support their children. Child support helps cover essential costs like food, housing, education, and health care.

Here’s what you need to know:

• What Is Child Support?
Child support is money paid by one parent to the other, or to a primary carer, to help cover the costs of raising a child. Generally, the parent who has less time with the child or a higher income is responsible for making payments to the other parent.

• Who Can Receive It?
To qualify, a child must be under 18 years of age and an Australian resident or a resident of a country with reciprocal child support arrangements. These apply only when the parents live apart.

• How Is It Calculated?
The amount a parent is required to pay depends on their income, the proportion of time they care for the child, and whether they have other financial dependents. A child support payment is intended to be enough to contribute to essential expenses such as food, housing, clothing, medical care, education, and reasonable extracurricular activities. The formula also accounts for child-specific expenses, such as medical treatments, education costs, and special needs.

• Can Payments Change?
Yes, payments can be adjusted. Either parent can apply for a reassessment through Services Australia (or the court) if there is a significant change in income, an increase in child-related expenses, or a change in care arrangements. Any modification must be justified with appropriate evidence.

• What If Payments Aren’t Made?
Failure to pay child support can result in serious legal consequences. If a parent does not meet their obligations and has not applied for a reassessment, Services Australia and the courts have several enforcement measures at their disposal. These include wage garnishment, tax refund interception, asset seizure, and in extreme cases, criminal penalties. Parents who are struggling to meet their obligations should seek legal advice and apply for a reassessment rather than default on payments.

• Do You Need a Lawyer?
While applications can be handled independently, legal advice is highly recommended, especially in complex cases involving disputes, non-payment, or modifications to existing agreements. An experienced family lawyer can help parents negotiate fair arrangements, ensure accurate calculations, and represent them in court if necessary.

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Need help with child support issues?
Give us a call anytime on 1300 636 846, and we’ll put you in touch with one of our experienced family lawyers. Together, let’s ensure you understand your rights and responsibilities, making sure your child gets the support they deserve!

09/05/2025

May 23, 2025 - Fines can be stressful and confusing. This event brings together experts to help you understand the ins and outs of receiving a fine.

23/04/2025

How long should a product last?

Determining how long you may expect a product to last is sometimes hard. Obviously, the price you paid has a lot to do with, as well as reasonable expectations.

Choice has examined member expectations and manufacturer repair data, and created this handy general guide.

They have much more information here: https://www.choice.com.au/shopping/consumer-rights-and-advice/your-rights/articles/how-long-should-your-appliances-last