Lex Legal 骏驹律师行

23/10/2021

Convert empty offices to apartment to save cities says Australia’s largest unit developer, the billionaire Harry Triguboff.

https://www.realcommercial.com.au/news/convert-empty-offices-to-apartments-to-save-cities-harry-triguboff?fbclid=IwAR0DW-Fm020yATyhfJ0icfCR38SRzc6Xz251l4Pr3143bDxRtMhUv-yDnOU

City office towers left vacant by the pandemic should be converted into apartment blocks says Australia’s largest unit developer, Harry Triguboff.

22/07/2020

【西澳】9月1日起，开车时使用手机将被罚款1,000澳元

从2020年9月1日开始实施，对于开车时使用手机的司机，西澳政府将会开出1000澳元的高额罚单，这也让西澳成为澳大利亚对交通违规惩处最为严厉的州之一。

开车时如果被抓到打电话，看短信，使用社交软件或者看视频等，司机不仅会被罚款1000澳元，同时也会被扣四分。

政府希望这些惩罚措施的出台，能有效震慑那些不负责任的司机们。根据西澳警方公布，在2019年就有将近12000人被抓到开车时使用手机。警方认为严厉的惩罚是十分必要的，因为很多人都没有意识到，在开车时不集中注意力，即使只有一瞬间的分神，都有可能造成非常严重的后果。

澳洲其他地区的惩罚措施：

在昆士兰州，开车时使用手机，将被罚款1000澳元并扣四分；

在新南威尔士州，开车时使用手机，将被罚款344澳元并扣五分；

在维多利亚州，开车时使用手机，将被罚款496澳元并扣四分；

在南澳州，开车时使用手机，将被罚款534澳元并扣三分；

在塔斯马尼亚州，开车时使用手机，将被罚款336澳元并扣三分；

在首领地，开车时使用手机，将被罚款480澳元并扣三分；

在北领地，开车时使用手机，将被罚款250澳元并扣三分；

在School Zone开车时使用手机的，罚款和扣分都会相应增加。

08/06/2020

"每个人，都在争取一个完满的人生。

然而，世界上没有绝对完满的东西。太阳一到中间，马上就会偏西；月圆，马上就会月亏。所以，有缺憾才是恒久，不完满才叫人生。

其实，最好的境界就是花未开全，月未圆。

肯低头，就永远不会撞门；肯让步，就永远不会退步。求缺的人，才有满足感；惜福的人，才有幸福感！"

28/04/2020

OUR OFFICE REMAINS OPEN FOR CONSULTATION

We would like to inform our clients that our office remains open for consultation. We continue to take the COVID19 pandemic very seriously and will endeavour to adhere to all Government advice.

These guidelines include Social Distancing:
• Stay at home and only go out if it is absolutely essential
• Keep 1.5 metres away from others
• One person per 4 square metres in meeting rooms and reception
• Avoid physical greetings such as handshaking, hugs and kisses
• Use of electronic payment including credit card facilities in replacement for cash, in order to adhere to Government standards regarding contactless payments
• Travel at quiet times
• Practise good hygiene
Our team members will all adhere to these standards and we also request that you:
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after using restrooms
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitisers which will be available at our counter
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

We will continue to:
• Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces such as benchtops, desks, tables and doorknobs
• Clean and disinfect frequently used objects such as phones, printers and other objects used in shared spaces
• Provide hand hygiene products and suitable rubbish bins, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal

As a valued client of ours, you still have the option to consult with us by telephone/video conference and we appreciate that this will be a preference for many for some time to come.

Please contact us at any time if you have any questions (08) 9221 6366.

15/04/2020

NOTARY PUBLIC Services - Some of the notary public services that we can still provide include the following.

You may send by secured registered post or courier to our office the documents that requires a notary public to certify or verify. (Please contact us by email or telephone before you post or courier the documents).

1. Certifying and verifying medical records, prescriptions and medical certificates, subject to verification by the relevant doctor or medical centre.

2. Certifying copies of original Australian government documents such as birth certificates, change of name certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates and death certificates.

3. Certifying copies of original photograph identification documents accepted in Australia, such as drivers licences issued from any Australian state or territory, Australian passports, and foreign passports (although please be aware that some foreign offices will reject copies of their own passports being certified by an Australian notary public).

4. Certifying copies of original non-photographic identification documents accepted in Australia, such as Medicare card, bank cards and credit cards, statements or correspondence from banks or utility providers (provided they have also been stamped by the organisation that issued the document).

5. Certifying and verifying copies of education documents (ie, testamurs, transcripts, letters of completion or enrolments etc) issued from Australian educational institutions, subject to verification from those institutions – which could also be limited at this time.

6. Certifying and verifying Australian company documents issued by ASIC.

7. Certifying Australian Federal Police and state police certificates of National Police Check.

Some of the work will be subject to longer processing times either because of the verification process or because of requirement to send and receive original documentation as well as the return of all documentation to you.

We can also still provide assistance with obtaining an apostille or authentication through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, however, you must allow for even more turnaround time for processing as these have also been affected by restrictions brought about by COVID-19.

09/04/2020

Extract from NATIONAL CABINET MANDATORY CODE OF CONDUCT - SME COMMERCIAL LEASING PRINCIPLES DURING COVID-19

Examples of practical variations reflecting the application of the principle of proportionality may include, but are not limited to:
 Qualifying tenants would be provided with cash flow relief in proportion to the loss of turnover they have experienced from the COVID-19 crisis:

o ie. a 60% loss in turnover would result in a guaranteed 60% cash flow relief.
o At a minimum, half is provided as rent free/rent waiver for the proportion of which the qualifying tenant’s revenue has fallen.
o Up to half could be through a deferral of rent, with this to be
recouped over at least 24 months in a manner that is negotiated by the parties.

 So if the tenant’s revenue has fallen by 100%, then at least
50% of total cash flow relief is rent free/rent waiver and the
remainder is a rent deferral. If the qualifying tenant’s
revenue has fallen by 30%, then at least 15% of total cash
flow relief is rent free/rent waiver and the remainder is rent
deferral.

 Care should be taken to ensure that any repayment of the
deferred rent does not compromise the ability of the
affected SME tenant to recover from the crisis.

o The parties would be free to make an alternative commercial
arrangement to this formula if that is their wish.

Disclaimer - The information contained in this documents is for general information purposes only. The information is provided and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the documents for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

17/03/2020

"有时候，上天没有给你想要的，不是因为你不配，而是你值得拥有更好的。

若是有缘，时间空间都不是距离；若是无缘，终日相聚也无法会意。

一些该拿起的要拿起，一些该舍弃的要舍弃。因为，只有让该结束的结束了，该开始的才会开始。

有些事，发生了就只能接受。

有些人，失去了就只有放手。

有些路，选择了就没得回头。

生活就像一架钢琴：白键是快乐，黑键是悲伤。但是，要记住只有黑白键的合奏才能弹出美妙的音乐。

不论你的生活如何卑微，你要面对它生活，不要躲避它，更别用恶言咒骂它。
时间在流逝，生命中人来人往。

不要错失机会，告诉他们在你生命中的意义。"

13/03/2020

[LEX LEGAL] 外国人可以在澳洲投资/购买哪些住宅类房地产？
一般来说，无永居签证的外国人（“外国投资者”）在澳大利亚购买住宅类房地产的，必须要经过澳大利亚外国投资审查委员会（FIRB）的批准。外国投资者也包括：

 外国公司，以及根据澳大利亚海外投资相关法律，被视为外国公司的澳大利亚公司；
 根据澳大利亚海外投资相关法律，被视为外国投资者的信托及受托人；
 根据澳大利亚海外投资相关法律，被视为外国投资者的合伙人; 或者
 外国政府。

新建住宅 （New Dwellings）

通常情况下，外国投资者购买新建住宅的申请都能够获得FIRB批准，且对购买数量也没有限制。澳洲政府希望海外买家在新房市场上进行投资，既可以增加本地就业，促进经济发展，也有利于增加政府的财政收入。
新建住宅包括楼花，在建和已建成的住宅类房地产，没有被出售过，并且：
 没有入住过；或者
 该房产属于一个50套以上房产的房地产项目，曾被开发商出售过，但总体入住时间不超过12个月，再次由开发商出售的；

注意： 翻新或重新装修的二手房，不属于新建住宅。将一个或多个二手房推倒，在原土地上重新建的新房，在海外投资的语境下，通常也不视为新建住宅。

新建住宅豁免申请证书

一些房地产开发商可能持有“新建住宅豁免申请证明”（new dwelling exemption certificate），使其在销售相关房产时无须向FIRB提交申请。外国买家在购买时应该要求开发商出示该证明，如果所购买的房产属于该证明覆盖范围，则可以不用再单独申请FIRB的批准。

地皮（Vacant Land）

外国投资者可以在澳大利亚购买地皮，用于建造住宅，但要满足以下条件:
 建造的住宅必须在获得FIRB批准后四年内完工； 并且
 建造完成的证明材料必须在收到后的30天内提交，如建筑商签发的完工证明。


在海外投资的语境下，如果一块地皮上以前盖过房子，房屋被拆除移平后，该空地不被视为外国投资者可以购买的地皮，除非外国投资者承诺购买该空地之后，会在上面建造多个住宅，从而增加房产市场的供应。

二手房 （Established dwellings）

一般来说，外国投资者是不允许购买澳大利亚的二手房产，并将之用于居住，度假或出租。但有以下两种例外：

对二手房的再开发

二手房的再开发是指将原房产拆除，重新建造多个新房产，从而增加总体房产供给。要获得批准，必须满足以下条件:
 原房产在被拆除和再开发之前，不得向外出租；
 原房产必须要拆除，且新建造的多个住宅必须在获得FIRB批准后四年内完工； 并且
 建造完成的证明材料必须在收到后的30天内提交，如建筑商签发的完工证明。

购买二手房用作员工宿舍

在澳大利亚有实体生意的外国人或公司，可以申请购买二手住宅类房产，用于驻澳员工的安置。FIRB会根据生意的种类、营业地点、购买房产的必要性等因素，决定是否批准。一旦房产空置达到6个月以上，则必须出售该房产。

注意：本文所载信息仅供参考，不构成专业法律意见，请读者在做相关决定前咨询专业律师 [LEX LEGAL].

29/10/2019

[LEX LEGAL] 在西澳抓螃蟹鲍鱼，你必须要知道的法律规定

我们代理过一些因触犯渔业法律而被重罚的案件，其中一个案件的当事人在曼哲拉（Mandurah）捕捞了上百只蓝花蟹，其中只有几只是符合尺寸的，被渔业执法人员查获后判处罚金一万多澳元。

澳大利亚是一个非常注重生态环境保护的国家，对海洋生物的保护制定了非常详细而严格的法律法规，执行力度很大。普通居民也积极地监督和举报非法渔猎。

很多新来西澳的人对这里的渔业规定知之甚少，我们特此整理了西澳对非商业性捕捞蓝花蟹和鲍鱼海胆的相关法律规定，希望大家在享受海洋的同时，不要触犯法律。

注意：州和领地有各自的渔业法规，本篇内容仅限于西澳大利亚州，相关法律规定每年或许会有新改动，请查询西澳渔业局官网 http://www.fish.wa.gov.au。

蓝花蟹（Blue Swimmer Crabs）

对违反以下规定的捕蟹行为，当事人将被处以最高5,000澳元再加上所捕获物种价值10倍金额的罚款：

1. 每人每天最多可捕10只蟹，且不得为他人捕蟹；

2. 如果驾驶机动船只捕蟹或前往捕捉地点，船上必须有人持有船只娱乐性捕钓执照(RFBL) 。当船上人数为2人以上时，每船最多也只能捕20只；

3. 不得捕捞小于127mm（从蟹壳最宽部分的钉尖处测量）的螃蟹和抱卵雌蟹，捕到后必须立即在水中放生；

4. 所有未蒸煮的螃蟹均必须保存完好，除非正在制备以便立即食用。任何肢解或毁伤海洋动物的行为均构成犯罪；（例如不得将蟹钳留下，身体扔回水中）

5. 只能使用手持式铁丝或塑料捞网、蟹笼或手持式钝铁丝钩，或用手捕蟹。不得使用能刺穿蟹的钓钩，渔网，虾拖网或抄网；

6. 捞网必须呈碗形，由不会缠住蟹的硬网料制成。捞网深度不得超 过210mm，内部直径不得超过375mm；

7. 蟹笼直径不得超过1.5m，每人每次最多使用10只蟹笼；

8. 驾驶船只捕蟹的，不管船上的人数多少，每船最多使用10只蟹笼。

鲍鱼 （Abalone）

罗氏鲍鱼（Roe’s abalone）

棕边鲍鱼（Brownlip abalon）

青边鲍鱼（Greenlip abalone）

海胆（Sea urchin）

对违反以下规定的抓捕鲍鱼和海胆的行为，当事人将被处以最高10,000澳元再加上所捕获物种价值10倍金额的罚款：

1. 抓鲍鱼须持有捕捞证（Recreational licence）, 且不得代为他人捕捞；抓海胆不需要办证。

2. 必须在指定时间指定地点进行：

3. 对于罗氏鲍鱼，在西海岸区（Zone 1）每人每天最多15只，在南部区域（Zone 3）每人每天最多20只；对于青边和棕边鲍鱼，每人每天两种累计不得超过5只；对于海胆，每人每天最多20只。

4. 在你的住所内，最多只能保存80只罗氏鲍鱼和20只青边/棕边鲍鱼；在住所之外的其他地方（如车、船内），最多只能保存20只罗氏鲍鱼和10只青边/棕边鲍鱼。（渔业和海事执法人员会根据举报查验你的住宅、船只和车辆）

5. 不得抓捕小于60mm的罗氏鲍鱼和140mm的青边/棕边鲍鱼。对海胆没有尺寸要求。

6. 严禁使用鲍鱼肉作为鱼饵。

7. 不得试图在海里或海边将鲍鱼肉剥离壳体。

注意： 非商业性捕捞者不得出售所抓获的鲍鱼和海胆，否则当事人将被处以最高400,000澳元再加上所捕获物种价值10倍金额的罚款，甚至被判处有期徒刑。

注意：本文所载信息仅供参考，不构成专业法律意见，请读者在做相关决定前咨询专业律师 [LEX LEGAL].

23/10/2019

Stamp duty rebates of up to $50,000 to recharge lacklustre market.

A stamp duty rebate has been introduced to help stimulate the residential property and construction sectors.

19/09/2019

"Even though people required to give evidence are not facing any formal charges, they are often confronted with direct assertions of wrongdoing by counsel assisting the inquiry as if they were already guilty of something.

The resultant publicity can be quite devastating to personal reputations which may not be repaired even if the claims are later proved to be false or unable to be substantiated."

“The potential for prejudice to witnesses and others, from a public hearing, is obvious. The content of questions asked at a public hearing and the manner in which they are put may be such as to convey allegations or raise suspicions, which may attract considerable publicity."

“In consequence, the reputations of witnesses and others may be adversely affected, in a serious, indeed permanent, way."

“The anxiety caused to persons may be significant and the damage to reputations may be irreparable, even when no direct evidence of misconduct eventually emerges.”

Where is the protection of people whose innocence takes years to prove, while the unsubstantiated assertions of fact from investigations, publicly made under legal privilege, have already done damage?