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Expertise

Joanne has more than 15 years’ experience in large scale and complex commercial litigation working within a premier law firm environment both in Brisbane and in London.  In addition, she has worked at a senior executive level within the Queensland Government. 

She specialises in the following areas of law: dispute resolution and litigation, public and administrative law, competition law, Government, regulatory and privacy.

Joanne has been recognised in the 2023 Doyle’s Guide as a leading administrative & public lawyer in Queensland.

Experience

Joanne is an experienced commercial litigator and Government lawyer with significant experience in managing large scale and complex commercial and regulatory disputes in both state and federal jurisdictions as well as internationally.  She has a track record of being able to critically analyse matters and be able to provide clients with strategic advice that is clear and meets client’s expectations. 

Joanne’s litigation experience is complemented by her senior in-house government legal experience which provided her with a deep understanding of government operations, processes and public sector legislation and enabled her to be a respected sounding board and trusted advisor to her clients at all levels of Government.

Joanne’s significant experience includes:

Competition law and regulatory

  • advising on the declaration decisions for third party access for significant state infrastructure under the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997 (QCA Act).
  • advising on decisions and statements of reasons made under QCA Act.
  • assessing and managing competition law risks on proposed Government projects.
  • providing training and ongoing advice on competition law compliance.
  • advising UK pay TV operator:
    • on proceedings brought by the UK Telecommunications Regulator requiring the compulsory supply of certain pay TV channels at regulated prices. 
    • on the European Commission’s market investigation into pay TV movie rights. 
    • on proceedings brought against the operator for misuse of market power. 
  • advising on follow on damages claims arising from a European Commission cartel infringement decision.

Contractual and construction litigation

  • acting for the owner of a coal export terminal in Supreme Court of New South Wales proceedings in its complex contractual and tortious dispute with its contractors, subcontractor and insurers regarding the alleged defective design and construction, and resultant flooding, of one of its coal dump stations.
  • acting for a Queensland based mining joint venture in Supreme Court of Queensland proceedings in its contractual dispute with one of its contractors regarding the alleged incomplete and defective construction work for one of its mines.
  • acting for the owner of an oil and gas asset and its ongoing disputes with its contractors including in respect of very significant claims made under the security of payment legislation.

Public and administrative law and government

  • experience in advising on compliance with government policies and frameworks, complex matters of statutory interpretation and regulatory issues.
  • experience in developing and assessing government legal structures and governance. 
  • advising on the development and introduction of legislation.
  • advising on allegations of corrupt conduct including advising on whether conduct requires referral to the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission.
  • advising on emerging issues including human rights compliance.

Confidentiality, information sharing, privacy and right to information

  • advising on information sharing including appropriate confidentiality agreements, terms of use and collection notices. 
  • advising on compliance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 including privacy complaints, breaches and OIC and QCAT proceedings.
  • advising on scope of right to information obligations.

Publications

16 April 2024 - Knowledge

Government announces significant changes to Australia’s merger regime

#Competition & Consumer Law, #Mergers and Acquisitions

The Federal Government has announced a substantial reform of Australia’s merger regime. We summarise the proposed changes and discuss their potential impact on businesses.

13 March 2024 - Knowledge

Overview: ACCC’s 2024-25 compliance and enforcement priorities

#Competition & Consumer Law

The ACCC’s recent 2024-25 Compliance and Enforcement Policy and Priorities will focus on net zero transition, ongoing digital transformation and tackling cost of living pressures.

24 October 2023 - Knowledge

Final countdown to Australia’s unfair contract terms regime

#Competition & Consumer Law, #Corporate & Commercial Law

Businesses are encouraged to remove or amend any unfair contract terms in standard form contracts by 9 November 2023, when reforms to Australia’s unfair contract terms regime under the Australian Consumer Law take effect.

13 June 2023 - Knowledge

Budding problem – ACCC proceeding against ‘local’ florist

#Competition & Consumer Law

Roses are red, violets are blue, when advertising 'local' flowers, the claim must be true. ACCC proceeding against online retailer Meg’s Flowers Pty Ltd gives a timely reminder to all businesses that claims and statements must be able to be substantiated under the Australian Consumer Law.

15 March 2023 - Knowledge

Comply or face enforcement – ACCC announces 2023-24 priorities

#Competition & Consumer Law

The ACCC has given businesses fair warning that it will focus on cost of living pressures, the price of essential services, the integrity of environmental and sustainability claims and anti-competitive conduct with the release of its 2023-24 Compliance and Enforcement Policy and Priorities.

08 March 2023 - Knowledge

Greenwashing unsustainable following ASIC and ACCC enforcement action: How your business can stay off the regulators’ radar

#Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), #Competition & Consumer Law, #Superannuation, Funds Management & Financial Services

Australia’s corporate and consumer regulators are on red alert for greenwashing and have prioritised investigating and taking enforcement action in connection with misleading disclosures and marketing.

07 February 2023 - Knowledge

Queensland Government Bulletin

#Government

We provide an update on the judgment delivered by the Land Court at the end of 2022 on the role that climate change can play in government decision-making through the operation of the Human Rights Act 2019.

24 January 2023 - Knowledge

ACCC combatting rising cost of living by prioritising essential service prices

#Competition & Consumer Law

The ACCC has signalled a focus on gas, childcare and telecommunications industries in 2023, warning the business community that it has new and existing enforcement powers and is not afraid to use them.

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).

22 November 2022 - Knowledge

ACCC mows down turf breeder for concerted practice concerns

#Competition & Consumer Law

In the first enforcement action of its kind in three years, the ACCC has secured a court enforceable undertaking from a turf breeder after concerns it may have engaged in a concerted practice.

07 September 2022 - Knowledge

Proposed penalties raise the bar on competition and consumer law breaches

#Competition & Consumer Law, #White Collar Crime & Regulatory Investigations

The federal government intends to deter competition and consumer law breaches with the release of a Draft Bill that would see companies and individuals face significantly higher penalties.

24 August 2022 - Knowledge

ASIC announces priorities for 2022-2026

#Superannuation, Funds Management & Financial Services, #Dispute Resolution & Litigation, #Regulatory

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released its latest Corporate Plan, outlining its strategic priorities for the next four years. The Corporate Plan provides transparency on the regulator’s approach to new trends and initiatives in the financial market, and insights into how the regulator will effectively tackle product design and distribution, sustainable finance, retirement decision-making and technology risks over the coming years.

15 August 2022 - Knowledge

Not easy being green for Logan waste collection businesses, QCA finds

#Competition & Consumer Law, #Government, #Local Government

For the first time in five years, the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) has handed down an investigation report finding a breach of the competitive neutrality principles by Logan City Council in the pricing of its green waste collection services.

06 July 2022 - Knowledge

Money transfer cartel sent cash and received jail time

#Competition & Consumer Law, #White Collar Crime & Regulatory Investigations

In an Australian competition law first, four individuals have received prison sentences for criminal cartel conduct after fixing foreign exchange rates and fees despite being employed by competing money transfer businesses.

21 June 2022 - Knowledge

From the guest room to the dog house, ACCC brings action against Airbnb

#Competition & Consumer Law

The ACCC has instituted proceedings against Airbnb for breaking house rules by misleading consumers into believing the prices for accommodation displayed on its booking platform were in Australian dollars, when in fact those prices were in US dollars.

07 June 2022 - Knowledge

ACCC takes swipe at Mastercard for alleged misuse of market power

#Competition & Consumer Law

After signalling a focus on competition issues in the financial services sector, the ACCC has pinned down Mastercard in proceedings alleging it has misused its market power with the purpose of substantially lessening competition in the supply of debit card acceptance services.

Upcoming Seminars