Smarter Lawcast with Hall & Wilcox

Major changes to capital gains tax and negative gearingare set to reshape how property and other capital investments are taxed in Australia. With the 50% CGT discount being replaced by cost base indexation, anew 30% minimum tax on capital gains and restrictions on negative gearing, what should taxpayers and their advisers be thinking about now?In this episode of Smarter Lawcast, Jonathan Shaw isjoined by Todd Bromwich to unpack the key changes, what is already law and what remains proposed or in draft, and the practical considerations for investors ahead of 1 July 2027. They also work through two examples to show how the newCGT and negative gearing rules could apply in practice.

Is having a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) enough tomake a meaningful difference? For businesses, genuine reconciliation takes more than good intentions.In this episode of Smarter Lawcast, Nathan Kennedy isjoined by Joshua Gilbert, Keshi Moore and Ruby Hunt to explore how businesses can move beyond commitments to build meaningful relationships, create opportunities for First Nations communities and drive lasting change.

Getting diverse talent through the door is only the beginning. Creating genuine inclusion means ensuring people have the support, opportunities and sponsorship to build careers, progress and lead.Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu is joined by Keerthi Ravi, Senior Legal Counsel at PWC and founder of Diverse Women in Law to explore the relationship between cultural identity and belonging, why representation alone isn’t enough and the role leaders can play in backing diverse talent for the long term.

WA’s workers' compensation scheme has been rewritten from the ground up – and for self-insurers, the new framework leaves little room for missed deadlines or technical mistakes. From tighter liability decision timeframes to stricter settlement and notice requirements, getting the process right matters.Hall & Wilcox Partner ⁠Ilona Strong⁠ is joined by Special Counsel Megan Cramp to explore how the reforms are playing out in practice, including changes to psychological injury claims, tax treatment of settlements and why strong systems and early evidence gathering are more important than ever. 

What does it mean when someone feels they need to change their name to fit in? The stories behind our names can reveal powerful insights about identity, culture and the experiences that shape us.Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu is joined by Diana Yaqco and Jade Tillekeratne to explore the personal and professional significance of names, why some people choose to adapt or change them, and how curiosity and respect can help createworkplaces where people feel they belong.

Workers’ compensation reforms are changing the expectations on self-insurers in Queensland and South Australia, but with little judicial guidance so far, navigating the new landscape isn’t straight forward.Hall & Wilcox Partner ⁠Ilona Strong⁠ is joined by Partner Angela Brookes and Special Counsel Ben Clarke to explore what the reforms mean in practice and why early intervention, clear communication and good documentation can make all the difference.

More than two years after Victoria workers’ compensation reforms took effect, some of the biggest questions remain unanswered. With little judicial guidance on key tests for mental injury and ongoing weekly payments, self-insurers are still navigating plenty of grey.Hall & Wilcox Partners Ilona Strong and Andrew Stamp unpack the areas still causing headaches in practice, from determining what constitutes a mental injury and its predominant cause to approaching 130-week reviews, and why sometimes self-insurers need to look beyond the medical report and make their own judgment call.

Getting someone’s name right is about more than respect – it’s a reflection of the culture we create and the value we place on belonging. While small moments matter, lasting inclusion also depends on representation, curiosity andleadership. Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu⁠⁠ is joined by StephenAkinsanya, a London-based criminal barrister, to explore why names matter in the legal profession, the importance of representation at senior levels, and how individuals can help build more inclusive workplaces. 

A major shake-up to psychological injury claims is now in effect in New South Wales. From new eligibility thresholds to a different approach for trauma and conduct claims, the reforms have significant implications for employers.Hall & Wilcox Partner Ilona Strong and Special Counsel Belinda Walsh explain what has changed and where organisations should focus first.

Getting someone’s name right is one of simplest ways to build trust, but it’s something the legal profession doesn’t always get right. The way we recognise, and respect people’s identities can shape their experience of the legal system, strengthen client relationships and foster a more inclusive profession.Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu⁠ is joined by Teagan Naidu, criminal solicitor at Marrickville Legal Centre, to explore why names matter in legal practice and what individuals can do to create more inclusive experiences for clients and colleagues.