Regulator seizes WiseTech docs in trading probe

Tax Board widens PwC investigation post-leaks

ACCC says Copilot rollout misled 2.7m Aussies

PwC Australia is under new investigation by the Tax Practitioners Board over alleged misuse of legal privilege, misleading FIRB advice, and false R&D tax claims. The inquiries, tied to the firm’s tax leaks scandal, threaten to prolong its fallout. CEO Kevin Burrowes says PwC has “implemented significant reforms,” but regulators want proof the culture shift runs deeper than words: AFR

Ashurst has poached Lixian Liang from Gilbert + Tobin to join its Projects & Energy Transition team in Sydney. A former Ashurst counsel, Liang brings heavyweight renewables experience, having advised Acciona and Cobra on Australia’s first Renewable Energy Zone: Point Blank

Jones Day has nabbed Christine Tran from HSF Kramer to join its Sydney disputes team. A veteran of both shareholder and product liability class actions, Tran co-led a landmark defence win: Point Blank

A former QLD solicitor has been removed from the roll after forging Federal Circuit Court documents. The NSW Supreme Court said her conduct showed “a disregard for the administration of justice itself.” Gow also diverted $10k from an elderly client’s trust. She was jailed for 70 days over the forged orders: Lawyers Weekly

Employment: So what’s the go with WFH? Well, the Fair Work Commission has ordered Westpac to let a mortgage banker work from home every day, finding the bank had no reasonable business grounds to refuse. Karlene Chandler sought flexible work under s. 65 of the Fair Work Act to manage school runs. Westpac pointed to its two-day in-office policy, but the Commission noted Chandler’s role had been successfully remote for years, with all meetings and training conducted via Teams. Westpac also failed to follow the mandated steps under the Act. It’s a major test of post-pandemic hybrid work rights, as similar FWC cases show a split trend, where some uphold company policies, others back employees where WFH remains viable and reasonable. Here’s the rundown: Point Blank

Consumer: The ACCC has launched Federal Court proceedings against Microsoft Australia and its US parent, alleging they misled 2.7 million Aussies about their Microsoft 365 subscriptions. The watchdog claims Microsoft told users they must accept higher-priced “Copilot-integrated” plans or cancel, omitting a hidden third option - the cheaper “Classic” plan without AI. The only way customers could find it was by starting to cancel their subscription. Prices jumped 45% for Personal plans and 29% for Family plans after the AI rollout. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb says Microsoft “concealed the Classic plans” to push users onto costlier tiers. The ACCC is seeking penalties, redress and injunctions, alleging false or misleading conduct under consumer law: ACCC

Regulatory: FIRB and ACCC join forces. FIRB has rolled out new rules that link foreign investment and merger control approvals, requiring applicants to disclose competitive overlaps and confirm whether their deal is being notified to the ACCC. Under the changes, Treasury may now refer FIRB deals to the ACCC where competition issues arise, and FIRB won’t decide until the ACCC has. Applicants must provide market data, supplier details, and revenue figures for the past three years, even if no ACCC filing is made. For dealmakers, that means front-loading competition analysis and coordinating filings early: KWM

The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to let the president fire the head of the US Copyright Office, after a lower court reinstated Shira Perlmutter, finding the dismissal likely breached separation of powers. Perlmutter argues she’s a legislative branch official, not subject to presidential control. The DOJ says her role is executive in nature, setting up a major test of presidential firing powers: Bloomberg

And in other Trump news, the US pres said he’d “love” to serve a third term as president but has ruled out running as vice-president in 2028, calling the idea “too cute”. The 22nd Amendment bars anyone from being elected president more than twice, though some supporters have floated Trump could running as VP: Guardian

Roc Partners: is weighing a $1bn sale of egg giant Pace Farm, just two years after buying it for about $350m. The business now generates roughly $100m in EBITDA, driven by booming demand for protein and cage-free eggs amid a global shortage. Roc merged Pace with Kinross Farms, creating one of Australia’s biggest producers with 28% market share: The Australian

Larvotto Resources: has rejected a $723m scrip takeover bid from US Antimony Company, saying it “materially undervalues” its Hillgrove gold and antimony mine in NSW. The offer for six USAC shares for every 100 Larvotto shares has already lost value as USAC’s stock slid 10% since the announcement: AFR

Two workers have died after an underground explosion at the Endeavor Mine near Cobar, owned by Polymetals. Emergency crews were called about 3:45am, with a man killed underground and one of two rescued women dying later. SafeWork NSW and police have launched investigations: ABC News

MinRes will pocket $200m from Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, after the $3bn Onslow Iron venture hit a 35mtpa haulage rate. The payout was triggered under last year’s $1.1bn deal for MSIP’s 49% stake in the Onslow Iron Road Trust. The milestone offers a timely cash boost amid $5.8bn in debt: The Australian

Former ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott has defended the bank’s sacking of trader Etienne Alexiou, saying he “blatantly broke the code of conduct,” despite conceding the alleged use of the word “slaughter” to describe rate-setting was “problematic.” Elliott told the Federal Court he would have sought answers had he known sooner, as Alexiou claims he was fired for whistleblowing on BBSW manipulation: The Australian

Citi and Coinbase have joined forces to build digital asset payment solutions for global institutions, blending Citi’s 94-market payments network with Coinbase’s blockchain expertise. The partnership will start by streamlining fiat-to-crypto conversions and exploring on-chain stablecoin payout methods, aiming to make cross-border payments as seamless as if there were no borders: FinExtra

R.M. Williams has opened a massive 20,000sqm second workshop in northern Adelaide, boosting production by 90% since Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Tattarang bought the brand in 2020. The new site brings manufacturing and distribution under one roof, with Dr Forrest calling it a pledge to “keep Australian manufacturing alive”: The Australian

IHG will anchor a $750m twin-tower project in Parramatta with a new 217-room Crowne Plaza hotel, part of Urban Property Group’s reworked precinct opposite the train station. The plan swaps offices for build-to-rent apartments and short-stay stays, tapping Western Sydney’s booming corporate and events scene. Construction could start next year, wrapping by 2029: AFR

Federal police and ASIC officers raided WiseTech’s Sydney office, seizing documents linked to alleged share trading by founder Richard White and three staff between late 2024 and early 2025. No charges or company allegations have been made, and WiseTech says it will “fully cooperate” with the investigation: Capital Brief

Amazon will cut up to 30,000 corporate roles. That’s about 10% of its white-collar workforce — its biggest layoff since 2022. The Andy Jassy-led giant says the cuts aim to trim costs after pandemic overhiring and reflect AI-driven efficiency gains. Jassy has warned that generative AI will reshape roles, reducing headcount but creating new types of work: Variety