In WORKCOVER QUEENSLAND v AMACA PTY LTD & ANOR [2010] HCA 34 the Australian High Court has clarified that Queensland legislation limiting the rights of a deceased estate to recover damages for pain and suffering and the like does not limit the liability of the wrongdoer. A worker died from a dust related condition, having previously received an insurance based compensation payment. The insurer sought to recover their loss from the employer. The Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Queensland (her Honour McMurdo P dissenting) held that section 66 of the Succession Act operated to reduce the insuer’s claim to that which would be available to the deceased estate. Allowing the appeal, the High Court held the statutory limit only applied to an action brought for the benefit of the estate on behalf of the deceased and did not restrict the insurer’s right of indemnity to recover against a wrongdoer.

The United States 2012 Diversity Visa Program (aka Green Card Lottery) is now open and closes November 3, 2010. Under the lottery, 50,000 diversity visas are randomly drawn from among entrants meeting eligibility requirements, fore-mostly persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the USA. There is no fee to enter the lottery so if you are asked to pay someone it is probably a scam. Entry is straight-forward apart from having a digital photo validated. Lottery entrants must have the equivalent of a high school education or within the past five years two years of work in a recognised skilled occupation. Apply on-line. http://alturl.com/ojdvz

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “world is in a process of diffusion”. http://alturl.com/hxwja

Australian house prices 63% above long-run average price-to-rent ratio. USA prices about right. The Economist. http://alturl.com/9waux