Australia

The Australian Government announced a range of important measures in the 2013-2014 Budget.

In the 2013-14 Budget, the Federal Government has promised to invest a further $24 billion on roads, rail and ports.

Transcript of the Budget Reply Speech made by the leader of the opposition.

The Policy encourages private sector investment in infrastructure by providing an alternative to full private finance.

Canada

Alberta has recently released a draft of The Government of Alberta's Policy on Consultation with First Nations on Land and Natural Resource Management, 2013.

While much of the developed world struggles with debt and chronically low growth, Canada, one of the best-performing members of the G-7, remains on firmer footing.

The Supreme Court of Canada has recently released its decision in a case which sets out some important principles that may be relevant for those who engage in operations in areas where Aboriginal or First Nations concerns could give rise to a risk of roadblocks or other obstructive activities.

A discussion on a recent case, where the Court affirmed the B.C. Court of Appeal’s finding that the Behns, as individual members of an Aboriginal community, did not have standing to assert collective rights in their defence, as only the community could raise such rights.

A discussion on a recent case where the Supreme Court of Canada has clearly ruled that the duty to consult exists to protect the collective rights of Aboriginal Peoples and that this duty is owed to the community that holds the rights.

We enclose an update of some recent noteworthy cases and developments concerning aboriginal law and the duty to consult.

A discussion on how far can the Crown delegate its constitutional duty to consult Aboriginal people to proponents.

The Government of Alberta has recently introduced Bill 22 - the Aboriginal Consultation Levy Fund in the legislature.

Alberta’s Aboriginal Relations Minister has recently introduced Bill 22, the "Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act", into the Legislature.

Libya

The General National Congress of Libya approved Law No. 13 of 2013, "The Political and Administrative Isolation Law", which precludes officials of the former Gaddafi regime from holding a position in the new government or parliament, as well as positions of leadership in various other institutions including the judiciary, universities, the military and the media.

United Kingdom

One of the consequences of the economic downturn is that government has lost faith in itself.

United States

When the House and Senate have not agreed to a budget resolution, they may "deem" legislation to act as a budget resolution in order to move forward with the budget and appropriations process.

Government contractors will want to review their teaming agreements following the recent decision in Cyberlock Consulting, Inc. v. Info. Experts, Inc..

Concerns regarding counterfeit parts in the United States Government's supply chain led to the enactment of Section 818 of the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Department of Defense to issue regulations regarding the definition, prevention, detection and reporting of actual or suspected counterfeit parts in the defense procurement supply chain.

The Department of Energy is extending the deadline for industry feedback on its Energy Savings Performance Contracts to May 17, 2013.

Four decades after the campaign finance reforms that followed Watergate, arguments over the role of money in politics seem increasingly tired and unproductive.