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Lara Hues

BA, LLB

Special Counsel - Brisbane

Areas of Expertise

Workplace Relations & Safety

Contact Lara

+61 7 3135 0693 lara.hues@holdingredlich.com

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.  

Lara has been recognised as a thought leader in the Mondaq Thought Leadership Awards for Australia in Spring 2024 for Employment and HR. 

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

26 June 2024 - Knowledge

Workplace investigations in Queensland’s public sector: New directive and review guide

#Workplace Relations & Safety

Queensland’s Public Sector Commission has issued a new workplace investigations directive and periodic review guide. We discuss the key changes in these documents.

30 April 2024 - Knowledge

Queensland Government Bulletin: QIRC allows fair treatment appeal against employee’s suspension with pay

#Government

‘Recent case law confirms the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission’s first of its kind jurisdiction to hear appeals on decisions to suspend employees on normal pay as they are considered ‘fair treatment decisions’.

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).

Upcoming Seminars

23 Oct 24 to 27 Nov 24 - Brisbane

2024 Construction, Infrastructure & Projects seminar series

The Holding Redlich Construction Infrastructure & Projects team is pleased to invite you to attend our 2024 seminar series. Our legal panel will discuss: key issues in construction contracts; terminating a contract; defective designs or building works; project insolvency; proving delays on construction projects; dealing with progress claims; security of payment update and the role of the superintendent.

Register now

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