Local Government / Government
Local Buy Accreditation
We are currently accredited for Legal Services (BUS 261-1116) on Local Buy in the categories of:
- Administrative Law and Governance;
- Construction and Infrastructure law;
- Employment law;
- General Contracts and Commercial Law;
- Planning and Environment Law;
- Property Law;
- General Litigation and Debt Recovery;
- Property Law; and
- Regulatory/General Prosecutions.
This makes it easy to engage us – without needing to go through lengthy, complex and expensive procurement requirements.
Further, our experience means we understand political overlay and reputational risk considerations relevant to decision-making.
A testament to our skills in this area, Suzanne Brown (Director) was awarded in as one of the 30 under 30 Best Lawyers in Australia, in the category of Government. She is one of the few Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialists in Business Law and has earned an enviable reputation in their field as being one of the best in the business.
Local Government
We act for a number of local governments, providing advice on a range of legal matters.
We have a very strong knowledge of the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld) and associated regulations. As an example, we recently provided a comprehensive training induction to new and existing Councillors of a local government on their obligations under the existing Council policies and relevant legislation (including the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld) (“LGA”), Local Government Regulations 2012 (Qld) and Right to Information legislation).
Our private sector commercial law expertise complimented with an understanding of government and local government entities means we have a unique skillset in advising on and forming public/private partnerships. As government entities search for efficiencies and seek to concentrate on ‘core services’, these are increasing in popularity.
However, there are some particular issues that need to be carefully addressed in these ventures under the LGA and Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act. We have assisted local governments to make applications to the Treasurer to enter into a Type 1 Financial Arrangement.
An example of this is that we acted as the lawyers for Mackay Regional Council in creating “Northern Australia Services” – which (at the time) was the largest public/private partnership of its kind in Australia to be undertaken by a local government.
Further, we are currently the lawyers engaged to act for a local government on the proposed expansion of their airport.
We understand the vital role local government play in the community and support them with practical advice and representation to ensure they get the best outcome.
By way of further illustration, we also have experience in advising Councils in legal matters such as:
a challenge to decisions under the Judicial Review Act
Right to Information disclosure obligations, exemptions, submissions to the Information Commissioner and disputes
development applications, infrastructure charges and agreements
planning appeals and property disputes
resumptions
leasing
dispute resolution and representation
Family Law Matters
industrial relations issues, such as enterprise bargaining, contracts, audits and compliance, equal opportunity and anti-discrimination, recruitment and selection, disciplinary action
work health and safety obligations and investigations
advices regarding animal and environmental management
health and safety regulations
developing policies and procedures
intellectual property management
Establishing a Self Managed Superannuation Fund
Government
We have had involvement in matters for a number of government organisations.
One of our Directors, Suzanne Brown, has previously sat as a non-executive director on North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (a Government Owned Corporation) years and the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (Queensland Health).
With specialist commercial advice, and experts across various other fields, we can provide the full service required to support a government/local government in all legal matters.
Our Local Government/Government Team
Mark focuses on commercial law including property development and town planning, leasing and conveyancing of commercial property, structuring and conveyancing of businesses and rural property transactions. Mark can also provide assistance in relation to building and construction disputes.
She is Mackay’s only Queensland Law Society Business Law Accredited Specialist and one of only 23 in Queensland. When Suzanne completed the course in 2014, she achieved the highest marks in the State and was honoured with a special award by the Chief Justice.
Tenacious and trustworthy, he is a highly respected commercial and property lawyer with an immense passion for, and wealth of knowledge of, the property market in Mackay, the Whitsundays, Coalfields and surrounds.
Tamara holds a Bachelor of Laws, First Class Honours Degree from James Cook University and was also the recipient of the University Medal upon graduating. She has many awards and recognitions to her name, including the Una Prentice Memorial Trust Award by the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland (for achieving the highest grades of all female law graduates in her year) and in 2021 was recognised as a Finalist in the 30 under 30 Lawyers Weekly Awards in the Employment and Industrial Relations category.