THE PRACTITIONER'S COMPANION
Saturday 10 May 2025

ARTICLES

Jul 18, 2024

Competition freedoms suffer in eConveyancing reform delay

For the past decade, conveyancers have used digital provider, PEXA to settle properties on behalf of home buyers and sellers. PEXA operates as a monopoly. A regulator has been established to promote a competitive environment that drives efficiencies, cost-savings and innovation in the e-settlement space.

Jul 14, 2024

Australia shuts the laundry door

Of the $1.1 billion of criminals’ assets seized by AFP between July 2019 and June 2024, more than $720 million involved real estate. Now federal authorities are working to close the gap and pushing lawyers and conveyancers to fall in line.

Jul 14, 2024

Ann tech-savvy and heartfelt approach to customers

Ann Blannin-Ferguson was elected Australian Institute of Conveyancers NSW president a year ago, bringing four decades of expertise to her significant advocacy role. Time has taught her so much and Ann has evolved as a practitioner and as a leader of people along the way.

Jul 14, 2024

It’s time to clean house

Authorities are closing the legal loophole that has allowed international criminals to launder money through Australian real estate transactions.

Jun 17, 2024

QLS enters a new era: Help where it’s needed

Matt Dunn stepped into the role of CEO at the Queensland Law Society in March, having served an ‘apprenticeship’ dating back almost two decades. The Tasmanian native’s long tenure with the society – punctuated by a stint at the Law Council of Australia – has already seen him spend 13 months as acting chief executive. Now he is ready to tackle the role for real. Australian Conveyancer sat down with Matt to hear about the many challenges facing lawyers in Queensland and his plans for practical advice and guidance for the industry.

Jun 17, 2024

Suburban shift: we’re moving out.

Outer suburbs that ring Australian capital cities are home to the country’s record population growth.   Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show a record 517,200 added to the rolls of the nation’s state capitals. The biggest increases over the course of the 2022-23 financial year were in Melbourne and Sydney…

Jun 17, 2024

We’re moving out

The national housing crisis, the cost of living, and the capacity to work remotely is changing the mindset of property buyers. Many are opting to relocate to metropolitan fringes and beyond.

May 21, 2024

It’s a year of change: positive and possibility

Jess Caire landed the role of Property Council Queensland’s Executive Director in February, tasked with advocating for a continuation of a strong state property industry. Prior to joining the council, Jess was Property Exchange Australia’s Executive Manager, Stakeholder Relations and before that she ran and owned her own consulting and conveyancing firm. With a big year in property already underway, Australian Conveyancer sat down with Jess to find out more about the well-respected and highly regarded industry leader.

May 21, 2024

Conveyancers: We’re cooked

Working in a high pressure, time-poor, multi-tasking environment, many Australian conveyancers are at risk of reaching burnout if they don’t heed the warning signs and learn how to deal with them, according to health and industry experts. With the Australian property market at near-record high clearances and conveyancers needing to…