Website reviews
Australian Stock Exchange
www.asx.com.au
The Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) operates a market for securities issued by listed companies. To access the Listing Rules, click on Market Supervision & Rules in the menu on the left of the screen, then ASX Rules. To start your company research, choose the Prices, Research & Announcements option (again in the menu to the left of the screen) and then select Company Research. A great deal of free company information can be found, including share prices and share price charts, dividends, annual reports and other company announcements dating back to 1998. From the Company Research page you can access information about recent and upcoming floats. A glossary of sharemarket terms is provided – the Glossary link is located in the top right-hand corner of the site.
Consumer Affairs Victoria – Business Names Register
http://online.justice.vic.gov.au/servlet/cav_search_criteria?mode=bnextr
This area of the Consumer Affairs Victoria website allows for free searching of the Business Names Register. A search will only locate Victorian business names that are listed on the register and some brief details about a business. The search screen is simple to use. Searches can be done on the registration number or name of the business. The name searching facility allows for the exact name, keywords and “sounds like” utilities. The search results are also clear – they display the name and registered number, along with the dates of registration, deregistration and renewal. If you require further information about a business, click on the name and additional details will be provided with the opportunity to purchase a business name extract if desired.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
www.accc.gov.au
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is an independent commonwealth statutory authority. The Business Rights and Obligations section, accessible from the homepage, supplies a great deal of information on practices, obligations and standards. One example is the Professions and Competition link from this section. By enforcing the Trade Practices Act, the ACCC takes on the role of consumer watchdog, protecting consumers in their dealings with professionals. This area deals with issues regarding health-related professions (e.g. doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and pharmacists) and non-health related ones (e.g. architects, engineers, lawyers and surveyors). In addition, information on eBusiness is available from the Business Rights and Obligations section. eBusiness covers trading online and compliance details in relation to laws in other states, countries and jurisdictions.
Disclaimer:
The information in this newsletter is not intended to be a complete statement of the law relating to the issues raised. Accordingly, no person should rely on this information without first obtaining specific advice from our office. | 
