Government and Public Sector

Hunt & Hunt has a long history of acting for Commonwealth, state and local government departments, agencies and statutory authorities throughout Australia. 

Hunt & Hunt has a long history of acting for Commonwealth, state and local government departments, agencies and statutory authorities throughout Australia. Our expertise in the government and public sector is best demonstrated by our appointment to legal services panels for the Commonwealth Government, NSW Government and Victorian Government. Additionally, we represent over 40 local municipalities throughout Australia.

Our experience and familiarity with government means we understand the specific needs of our government clients, that they operate in a unique environment and they are subject to a high level of scrutiny.

Over the years we have developed an understanding of the interconnected nature of agencies and how to navigate and work through the often complicated issues that can occur.

  • building and construction law
  • competition law
  • compliance and enforcement
  • compulsory land acquisition
  • conflict of interest/probity
  • corporate and commercial
  • dispute resolution and litigation
  • employment and workplace relations
  • environment and climate change
  • freedom of information and privacy
  • governance
  • information technology
  • insurance and public liability
  • intellectual property
  • land use planning
  • property.

Administrative Law

Our government clients draw on our extensive public sector experience. Our administration and public law team comprises highly respected practitioners, some of whom have previously held senior positions within government and the public sector, which gives our team a unique perspective and understanding of the context within which advice must be prepared, received and implemented.

Our administrative and public law experience includes:

  • representation in merit reviews in Commonwealth and state tribunals such as AAT, VCAT and NCAT.  We routinely appear in tribunals defending a broad range of decisions made for the development, transport, customs, liquor, security, and education industries
  • conducting or defending proceedings for judicial review in superior courts where there are complaints concerning exercise of power, jurisdiction, procedural fairness and natural justice
  • statutory interpretation
  • drafting statutory instruments
  • advice on the introduction of policy initiatives and effective public administration. We are conversant with principles for good public governance
  • undertaking prosecutions.

We also assist private sector and private clients who are challenging administrative decisions, seeking access to documents under freedom of information laws or who require representation in the Coroners Courts, Royal Commissions, or before corruption watchdogs. We assist our clients whether they are being investigated by police or whilst under investigation by regulatory authorities, and we provide them with guidance and advice about their obligations to provide evidence and the strategy for a trial.

Latest Insights

An update on rates while Councils wait

June 3, 2021

The Local Government Act 2020 (new Act) has implemented a long awaited overhaul of the Local Government Act 1989 (old Act). While the new Act received Royal Assent early last year, such an ambitious reform…

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Electronic Execution of Documents – Permanent Changes Afoot

May 13, 2021

Permanent changes to the laws relating to the electronic signing of documents are emerging from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In mid-2020, the Commonwealth Government introduced temporary measures allowing companies to execute documents electronically.  At around…

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COVID-19 Vaccines – Critical Questions for your Workplace

February 22, 2021

Guidance for the vaccine roll out in Australian workplaces was released by the Federal Government on 19 February 2021.  This took place via a media release from Christian Porter, Minister for Industrial Relations and updated…

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Our Government and Public Sector Lawyers