Dr Vicky Comino is a Senior Lecturer at the TC Beirne School of Law at The University of Queensland. Dr Comino's main research area is corporate law, and in particular the regulation of corporate misconduct. Before commencing an academic career, she practised as a solicitor working at a top tier law firm in the fields of corporate law, leasing, commercial and residential conveyancing, strata development, securities and opinion work. Over the years, Dr Comino has worked voluntarily for Legal Aid, South Brisbane Immigration & Community Legal Service, Women's Equal Opportunity (WEO) and Justice and the Law Society (JATL) (UQ). She has also served on numerous committees, most recently as the chair of a major Queensland Law Society accreditation committee for the accreditation of lawyers as Business Law Specialists. Dr Comino's recent articles have addressed important topics in the corporations law area. Those topics include the difficulties facing the use of civil penalties by calling for Parliament to pass legislation to resolve procedural obstacles, the adequacy of ASIC's 'tool-kit' to deal with corporate and financial wrongdoing, including the deployment of 'new' enforcement tools, such as enforceable undertakings and the possibilities and limits of the use of 'corporate culture' as a regulatory mechanism. Her 2015 monograph Australia's "Company Law Watchdog" – ASIC and Corporate Regulation, which focuses on exploring how, and to what extent, a public authority like ASIC can achieve more effective regulation certainly comes at a time when ASIC's performance is increasingly under the microscope. This is in view of its mixed record of success in some highly publicised cases and a seemingly endless procession of corporate and financial scandals, such as those that engulfed the major Australian banks, prompting not only a number of parliamentary inquiries into ASIC's performance and capabilities, but the establishment of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry. Her book also consolidates her position as a leading Australian researcher on corporate regulation, with her work cited in the Final Report of the Banking Royal Commission and reports of the Australian Law Reform Commission on Corporate Criminal Responsibility. Dr Comino's research has global relevance and she has extended her work beyond Australia to evaluate international developments, especially in the US and the UK. She is examining the different responses of regulators to the dilemmas presented by policing corporate and securities violations in the aftermath of, and since, the GFC to try to resolve the issue of how policy-makers and regulators should deal with corporate wrongdoing more effectively in the future. She also travelled to the UK in 2018 after being awarded a Liberty Fellowship from the University of Leeds to undertake collaborative work comparing corporate regulation there and in Australia. Dr Comino holds the degrees of BA, LLB (Hons), LLM and PhD (UQ), and is a Fellow of the Australian Centre for Private Law (UQ).
With the Banking Royal Commission turning the spotlight on systemic and extensive misconduct by banks encouraged and enabled by poor culture, my current research explores the extent to which 'corporate culture' can be used as a regulatory tool. It will also analyse measures that seek to drive cultural change in organisations. These include the embedding of ASIC supervisors in the major Australian banks (what became known as the Close and Continuous Monitoring Program), BEAR and the use of ‘new’ tools, such as enforceable undertakings, which before the Banking Royal Commission had become ASIC's regulatory 'tool of choice' in dealing with financial services misconduct, as well as deferred prosecution agreements, which are used in the US and UK. In addition to developing recommendations for Australia, by evaluating developments overseas, the research has global significance in seeking policy solutions on how we can deal with corporate misconduct more effectively.
Dr Vicky Comino's research cited in the Banking Royal Commission Final Report http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/UNSWLawJl/2014/7.html and http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/UQLRS/2009/3.html
Journal Article: 'Corporate Culture' is the 'New Black' - Its Possibilibilities and Limits as a Regulatory Tool for Corporations and Financial Institutions?
Comino, Vicky (2021). 'Corporate Culture' is the 'New Black' - Its Possibilibilities and Limits as a Regulatory Tool for Corporations and Financial Institutions?. University of New South Wales Law Journal, 44 (1), 295-325.
Journal Article: The GFC and beyond – how do we deal with corporate misconduct?
Comino, Vicky G. (2018). The GFC and beyond – how do we deal with corporate misconduct?. The Journal of Business Law, 15-39.
Book: Australia's "company law watchdog" : ASIC and corporate regulation
Comino, Vicky (2015). Australia's "company law watchdog" : ASIC and corporate regulation. Pyrmont, NSW, Australia: Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia.
Journal Article: Australia's "Company Law Watchdog": the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the civil penalties regime
Comino, Vicky (2014). Australia's "Company Law Watchdog": the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the civil penalties regime. Journal of Business Law, 2014 (3), 228-251.
Journal Article: James Hardie and the problems of the Australian civil penalties regime
Comino, Vicky (2014). James Hardie and the problems of the Australian civil penalties regime. University of New South Wales Law Journal, 37 (1), 195-230.
Journal Article: Effective regulation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission: The civil penalty problem
Comino, Vicky (2009). Effective regulation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission: The civil penalty problem. Melbourne University Law Review, 33 (3), 802-832.
(2021) University of New South Wales
An Australian Approach to Conduct Regulation and the Supervision of Culture in Banks
Doctor Philosophy
The Board's role in innovation in the for-purpose sector
Doctor Philosophy
Corporate Regulation and Governance
Critically examine developments and specific issues associated with corporate regulation and governance in Australia and abroad.
Potential topics could include:
Dr Vicky Comino is a leading scholar on corporate regulation in Australia. She has published widely in this area. Her own PhD (2011) explored how, and to what extent, ASIC in its original and primary role as corporate regulator can achieve more effective regulation of the corporations legislation.
For further information contact Dr Vicky Comino, e: v.comino@law.uq.edu.au
Comino, Vicky (2021). 'Corporate Culture' is the 'New Black' - Its Possibilibilities and Limits as a Regulatory Tool for Corporations and Financial Institutions?. University of New South Wales Law Journal, 44 (1), 295-325.
The GFC and beyond – how do we deal with corporate misconduct?
Comino, Vicky G. (2018). The GFC and beyond – how do we deal with corporate misconduct?. The Journal of Business Law, 15-39.
Australia's "company law watchdog" : ASIC and corporate regulation
Comino, Vicky (2015). Australia's "company law watchdog" : ASIC and corporate regulation. Pyrmont, NSW, Australia: Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia.
Comino, Vicky (2014). Australia's "Company Law Watchdog": the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the civil penalties regime. Journal of Business Law, 2014 (3), 228-251.
James Hardie and the problems of the Australian civil penalties regime
Comino, Vicky (2014). James Hardie and the problems of the Australian civil penalties regime. University of New South Wales Law Journal, 37 (1), 195-230.
Comino, Vicky (2009). Effective regulation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission: The civil penalty problem. Melbourne University Law Review, 33 (3), 802-832.
Australia's "company law watchdog" : ASIC and corporate regulation
Comino, Vicky (2015). Australia's "company law watchdog" : ASIC and corporate regulation. Pyrmont, NSW, Australia: Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia.
Civil penalties, company directors and penalty privilege
Comino, Vicky (2023). Civil penalties, company directors and penalty privilege. The law of civil penalties. (pp. 150-163) edited by Deniz Kayis, Eloise Gluer and Samuel Walpole. Alexandria, NSW Australia: The Federation Press.
Comino, Vicky (2021). "Culture" is key: an analysis of culture-focused techniques and tools in the regulation of corporations and financial institutions. Australian Business Law Review, 49 (1), 6-25.
Comino, Vicky (2021). 'Corporate Culture' is the 'New Black' - Its Possibilibilities and Limits as a Regulatory Tool for Corporations and Financial Institutions?. University of New South Wales Law Journal, 44 (1), 295-325.
Comino, Vicky (2020). Life after the Banking Royal Commission: Is the Royal Commission a 'game-changer' for the financial services sector in Australia?. Australian Journal of Corporate Law, 35, 381-406.
The GFC and beyond – how do we deal with corporate misconduct?
Comino, Vicky G. (2018). The GFC and beyond – how do we deal with corporate misconduct?. The Journal of Business Law, 15-39.
Comino, Vicky G. (2016). The adequacy of ASIC's 'tool-kit' to meet its obligations under corporations and financial services legislation. Company and Securities Law Journal, 34 (5), 360-386.
Comino, Vicky (2014). Australia's "Company Law Watchdog": the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the civil penalties regime. Journal of Business Law, 2014 (3), 228-251.
James Hardie and the problems of the Australian civil penalties regime
Comino, Vicky (2014). James Hardie and the problems of the Australian civil penalties regime. University of New South Wales Law Journal, 37 (1), 195-230.
Towards better corporate regulation in Australia
Comino, Vicky (2011). Towards better corporate regulation in Australia. Australian Journal of Corporate Law, 26 (1).
Comino, Vicky (2009). Effective regulation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission: The civil penalty problem. Melbourne University Law Review, 33 (3), 802-832.
The Challenge of Corporate Law Enforcement in Australia
Comino, Vicky G. (2009). The Challenge of Corporate Law Enforcement in Australia. Australian Journal of Corporate Law, 23 (3), 233-265.
At the crossroads - Civil or criminal sanctions for corporate misconduct?
Comino, V. G. (2007). At the crossroads - Civil or criminal sanctions for corporate misconduct?. Keeping Good Companies, 59 (7), 435-440.
The enforcement record of ASIC since the introduction of the civil penalty regime
Comino, V. G. (2007). The enforcement record of ASIC since the introduction of the civil penalty regime. Australian Journal of Corporate Law, 20 (2), 183-213.
Civil or criminal penalties for corporate misconduct: Which way ahead?
Comino, V G (2006). Civil or criminal penalties for corporate misconduct: Which way ahead?. Australian Business Law Review, 34 (6), 428-446.
High Court Relegates Strategic Regulation and Pyramidal Enforcement to Insignificance
Comino, V. G. (2005). High Court Relegates Strategic Regulation and Pyramidal Enforcement to Insignificance. Australian Journal of Corporate Law, 18 (1), 48-67.
The prosecution of corporations
Comino, Vicky (2005). The prosecution of corporations. The University of Queensland Law Journal, 24 (1), 235-239.
National Regulation of Corporate Crime
Vicky Comino (1997). National Regulation of Corporate Crime. Current Commercial Law, 5, 84-97.
ASIC and civil penalties - 30 years on: Is it 'fit for purpose'?
Comino, Vicky (2023). ASIC and civil penalties - 30 years on: Is it 'fit for purpose'?. Enhancing Corporate Accountability, Prato, Italy, 4-5 September 2023.
Corporate culture' is the problem, but can it be regulated?
Comino, Vicky (2022). Corporate culture' is the problem, but can it be regulated?. Evil Corporations Symposium, Sydney, NSW Australia, 12-13 December 2022.
'Culture' is Key: Insights and lessons from the banking and gaming sectors
Comino, Vicky (2022). 'Culture' is Key: Insights and lessons from the banking and gaming sectors. Transforming the Future: Building Trustworthy and Ethical Organisations: The University of Queensland Business School's Trust, Ethics & Governance Alliance (TEGA) 2022 Summit, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11 May 2022. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
Regulating for a culture of high reliability
Comino, Vicky (2021). Regulating for a culture of high reliability. High Reliability Organisations Forum, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 25 March 2021. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
Rethinking Corporate Regulation in Australia
Comino, Vicky (2021). Rethinking Corporate Regulation in Australia. 2021 Corporate Law Teachers' Association Conference, Sydney, Australia, 7-9 February 2021. Sydney, NSW, Australia:
Comino, Vicky (2020). Life after Hayne - the financial services sector and the future of enforcement for Australian regulators. 20/20 Hindsight: Reflections on Perceptions of Trust in Corporations, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 2-4 February 2020. Adelaide, SA Australia: Corporate Law Teachers' Association.
Comino, Vicky (2019). "Corporate Culture' - its Possibilities and Limits as Regulatory Mechanism for Corporations and Financial Institutions?. 2019 Law and Society Conference, Washington DC, USA, 30 May - 2 June 2019. Washington DC: Law & Society Association.
Culture as key: the view from research on Australian enforcement agencies
Comino, Vicky (2019). Culture as key: the view from research on Australian enforcement agencies. The Regulation of Corporate Ethics: Governance in an Age of Inquiries, Queensland Supreme Court, Brisbane, Australia, 13 September 2019.
Life after the Hayne Banking Royal Commission’
Comino, Vicky (2019). Life after the Hayne Banking Royal Commission’. AIBE (Australian Institute for Business and Economics) Conversation Series, UQ Business School Executive Venue, 293 Queen St, Brisbane, 9 July 2019.
The use of 'corporate culture' as a regulatory tool for corporations and financial institutions?
Comino, Vicky (2019). The use of 'corporate culture' as a regulatory tool for corporations and financial institutions?. The Corporate Law Teachers Conference - Possible Futures for the Company and for Corporate Law, Auckland, New Zealand, 3-5 February 2019.
In the Aftermath of the GFC – How do we deal with Corporate Wrongdoing?
Comino, Vicky G. (2017). In the Aftermath of the GFC – How do we deal with Corporate Wrongdoing?. Europe Asia Conference, Positano, Italy, 25 June -2 July 2017.
The GFC and Corporate Misconduct – Where to from here?
Comino, Vicky G. (2017). The GFC and Corporate Misconduct – Where to from here?. Global Convention on Corporate Ethics and Risk Management, Mumbai, India, 17-18 February 2017. Mumbai, India:
Is ASIC's 'Tool-kit' Adequate for It to Effectively Deal with Corporate and Financial Wrongdoing?
Comino, Vicky G. (2016). Is ASIC's 'Tool-kit' Adequate for It to Effectively Deal with Corporate and Financial Wrongdoing?. Corporate Law Teachers' Conference, 'Enduring Issues In, and Reflections On, Corporate Law and Policy over the Past 25 Years', UNSW, February 2016.
The GFC and Beyond, How Do We Deal with Corporate Misconduct?
Comino, Vicky G. (2016). The GFC and Beyond, How Do We Deal with Corporate Misconduct?. At the Delta: Belonging, Place and Visions of Law and Social Change, New Orleans, USA, 2-5 June.
The James Hardie litigation: Further evidence of the need to reform the civil penalties regime?
Comino, Vicky G. (2013). The James Hardie litigation: Further evidence of the need to reform the civil penalties regime?. 2013 CLTA Conference, ANU, Canberra, 3-5 February 2013. Canberra, ACT., Australia: CLTA.
The Challenge of Corporate Law Enforcement in Australia
Comino, Vicky G. (2009). The Challenge of Corporate Law Enforcement in Australia. 2009 Corporate Law Teachers' Association Conference, Sydney, 1-3 February 2009. Sydney:
ASIC and its enforcement record since the introduction of the civil penalty regime in 1993
Comino, V. G. (2007). ASIC and its enforcement record since the introduction of the civil penalty regime in 1993. 2007 Corporate Law Teachers' Association Conference, Deakin University, Melbourne Campus, 4-6 February 2007. Melbourne: Deakin University.
Civil or criminal penalties – which way ahead?
Comino, Vicky G. (2006). Civil or criminal penalties – which way ahead?. 2006 Corporate Accountability Conference, Monash University, Melbourne, 8-9 February 2006.
Not too big to fail: inside the Ralan Group collapse
Burnett, Clare and Comino, Vicky (2023, 11 23). Not too big to fail: inside the Ralan Group collapse The Urban Developer
Qantas directors in shareholders' sights at AGM over big payout to Alan Joyce
Comino, Vicky and Ironside, Robyn (2023, 11 03). Qantas directors in shareholders' sights at AGM over big payout to Alan Joyce The Australian
Banks put on hold separation plans as royal commission, upcoming poll shake landscape
Myer, Rod and Comino, Vicky (2019, 03 25). Banks put on hold separation plans as royal commission, upcoming poll shake landscape The New Daily 1-2.
Vertical integration will keep the banks growing and gouging
Myer, Rod and Comino, Vicky (2019, 02 08). Vertical integration will keep the banks growing and gouging The New Daily 1-2.
Comino, Vicky (2018). Submission in response to the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.
Embedding regulators in banks can help change cultures of wrongdoing, despite the risks
Comino, Vicky (2018, 08 08). Embedding regulators in banks can help change cultures of wrongdoing, despite the risks The Conversation
Restructuring alone won't clean up the banks' act
Comino, Vicky (2018, 07 12). Restructuring alone won't clean up the banks' act The Conversation
Comino, Vicky G. (2017). Submission Re: Improving enforcement options for serious corporate crime: A proposed model for a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) scheme in Australia – public consultation paper March 2017. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
Comino, Vicky G. (2016). Submission: Re Lifting the fear and suppressing the greed: Penalties for white-collar crime and corporate and financial misconduct – public consultation paper March 2016. Attorney-General's Department: Australian Government.
Comino, Vicky G. (2015). Submission: Re Proposed Industry Funding Model for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to Treasury.
ASIC hopes review will lead to expanded powers
Danckert, Sarah and Comino, Vicky (2015, 07 24). ASIC hopes review will lead to expanded powers The Sydney Morning Herald
Submission: Re A Capability Review of ASIC – public consultation paper July 2015
Comino, Vicky (2015). Submission: Re A Capability Review of ASIC – public consultation paper July 2015. Treasury: Australian Government.
Comino, Vicky (2011). Australian Corporate Regulation: Theory and Practice – The Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Regulation of Corporate Misconduct. PhD Thesis, School of Law, The University of Queensland.
(2021) University of New South Wales
An Australian Approach to Conduct Regulation and the Supervision of Culture in Banks
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
The Board's role in innovation in the for-purpose sector
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
Corporate Regulation and Governance
Critically examine developments and specific issues associated with corporate regulation and governance in Australia and abroad.
Potential topics could include:
Dr Vicky Comino is a leading scholar on corporate regulation in Australia. She has published widely in this area. Her own PhD (2011) explored how, and to what extent, ASIC in its original and primary role as corporate regulator can achieve more effective regulation of the corporations legislation.
For further information contact Dr Vicky Comino, e: v.comino@law.uq.edu.au