Our Government Services team is a national group with 150 lawyers across Australia, which understands the unique operating environment of the public sector, and is familiar with the legal, commercial and political pressures facing government organisations and their officers.
We advise over 250 public sector organisations across Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. Clients include ministerial departments; central, policy and service delivery agencies; statutory bodies; and government companies.
We have a reputation for providing professional, timely and reliable service. We understand the legislative and policy frameworks of government, and offer pragmatic solutions which are grounded in commercial understanding.
We have extensive public sector litigation experience, and a sound understanding of the administrative law issues relevant to government.
Our experience with Commonwealth and State agencies covers every facet of public law, including:
- Legislative development and drafting
- Statutory interpretation
- FOI, Privacy and Information Access Issues
- AAT and Federal and Supreme Court proceedings
- Drafting of instruments and delegations
We also advise on major commercial transactions across all levels of government and the private sector.
We have been involved in some of the largest commercial projects for Government, including the Collins Class Submarines Project, the sale of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and the Federal Airports, and the Adelaide-Darwin Rail Project.
We also advise on the full range of legal contractual issues and on the preparation of alliances, contracts, grants and funding agreements, deeds and MOUs. When drafting government contracts, we bring a deep understanding of the full range of policy, accountability, probity, commercial and practical considerations.
We have a proven track record of meeting government requirements in terms of transparency, accountability and probity.
Our advice accords with constitutional, legislative and ethical obligations. We understand government financial management and accountability regimes and their legal frameworks, broader legal and policy requirements, and the range of State and Territory legislation relevant to government.