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Lara Hues

BA, LLB

Special Counsel - Brisbane

Areas of Expertise

Workplace Relations & Safety

Expertise

Lara specialises in public sector employment, industrial and anti-discrimination law. She has a keen understanding of the statutory and policy framework within which Queensland Government employers operate. Lara’s particular focus is assisting employers to navigate complex and sensitive employee matters to avoid unnecessary escalation of claims. 

Lara has considerable litigation experience defending employee and union claims before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, Queensland Human Rights Commission, Australian Human Rights Commission and the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.  

Experience

Lara’s experience includes:

Litigation and employee claims

  • defending hospital and health services in adverse action and other general protections claims, including claims by senior health executives
  • representing government departments in complex and sensitive reinstatement applications 
  • extensive experience in defending discrimination and sexual harassment claims against the State
  • responding to employee grievances and advising in public service appeals
  • industrial disputes.

Employee management

  • discipline matters, including advising on workplace investigations and natural justice
  • managing sick employees, including ill-health retirement 
  • performance management.

Employment and administrative law advisory

  • all aspects of the Public Service Act 2008 and employment provisions under other legislation including the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011
  • statutory appointments, including drafting instruments of appointment 
  • senior executive and senior officer contracts
  • award interpretation and employee entitlements
  • human resources policy reviews
  • corrupt conduct, public interest disclosures, information privacy and human rights compliance.

Statutory workers’ compensation claims

  • employer responses to WorkCover Queensland
  • submissions to the workers’ compensation regulator
  • appeals to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

Publications

09 October 2023 - Knowledge

FWC confirms accepting a repudiation does not constitute a ‘dismissal’

#Workplace Relations & Safety

A recent FWC case serves as a reminder to employers that accepting an employee’s repudiation of employment does not constitute a “dismissal” for the purpose of unfair dismissal protections.

18 April 2023 - Knowledge

Queensland Government Bulletin

#Government

We provide an update on some of the most significant changes to Queensland public sector employment arrangements arising from the Public Sector Act 2022 (Qld).

22 February 2023 - Knowledge

Public Sector Act 2022 – new legislative employment arrangements for the Queensland public sector

#Workplace Relations & Safety, #Government

This article highlights some of the most significant changes to Queensland public sector employment arrangements arising from the Public Sector Act 2022 (Qld)

29 November 2022 - Knowledge

Queensland Government Bulletin

#Government, #Data & Privacy, #Workplace Relations & Safety

This edition includes a timely reminder to government agencies of the considerations that should be given to the collection, storage and retention of personal information. Plus, a discussion on the recent changes to the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld).

15 August 2022 - Knowledge

QIRC grants outside legal representation to government departments in complex matters

#Workplace Relations & Safety, #Government

We unpack a recent decision of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) which solidifies the circumstances where government departments should consider engaging qualified legal representation.

08 June 2022 - Knowledge

QIRC affirms former Department of Education Deputy Director-General guilty of misconduct

#Workplace Relations & Safety, #Government

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) has affirmed the findings that the former Department of Education Deputy Director-General had engaged in misconduct in the principal appointment scandal at the new state secondary college in Brisbane’s inner south.