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Franchise & Competition Law Briefing — 8 July 2026

Franchise Law Briefing

8 July 2026

JustAnswer to pay $10m in penalties for misleading pricing representations and misleading affiliation claims

8 July 2026 • ACCC media releases (Australia)

The Federal Court has penalised JustAnswer LLC $10 million for misleading consumers on pricing and affiliations, sending a clear message that the ACCC will enforce Australian Consumer Law against online platforms, including those running franchise-style expert-answer services.

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New anti-money laundering laws may impact 100,000 SMEs

6 July 2026 • Inside Small Business (Australia)

New AML laws could catch around 100,000 SMEs — franchise businesses included — and the real compliance headache will be working out who in the business is responsible for meeting the obligations, not just verifying customer identities.

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Proposed trust tax changes erode small businesses’ trust in Government

8 July 2026 • Inside Small Business (Australia)

Proposed changes to how trusts are taxed are unsettling small businesses and franchisees who rely on trust structures, with knock-on effects reaching well beyond tax bills into advisory costs, red tape, productivity and overall business confidence.

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NSW is suffering an SME exodus – and one other state is the winner

8 July 2026 • Inside Small Business (Australia)

NSW has shed more than 3,000 businesses over the past three years, a trend franchise networks should factor into territory planning and their assessment of state-level regulatory and cost pressures.

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New taskforce to tackle ‘scambling’ as fake online casinos target First Nations Australians

7 July 2026 • ACCC media releases (Australia)

The ACCC has stood up a new taskforce targeting fake online gambling platforms that rig results and withhold winnings, signalling a broader regulatory crackdown on digital consumer protection that franchise and branded online services should be watching.

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Milky Lane bets on dining experience to fuel Australia expansion

7 July 2026 • QSR Media Australia (Australia)

Milky Lane is pushing hard on Australian franchise expansion by leaning into experiential dining rather than competing as a conventional QSR burger chain, illustrating how franchise growth strategies in hospitality are shifting.

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Workplaces Need Staff to Feel Confident to Speak Up About Unwanted Behaviours at Work

6 July 2026 • Small Business Association of Australia (Australia)

Our Watch guidance calls on small businesses and franchise operators to create workplace cultures where staff feel safe to speak up, backed by proper anti-discrimination complaint procedures that meet franchisee obligations under workplace health and safety laws.

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