Construction and Major Projects, Government Services, Infrastructure, Local Government, Resources and Renewables, State Government QLD
Primarily acting on behalf of clients in contentious matters, Matt has practised in both Australia and the United Kingdom for over 25 years. He has deep industry experience with respect to transport, hospitals, oil and gas, mining infrastructure, renewables (wind and solar), pipelines and water projects (water treatment plants and waste water treatment plants), civil amenities, natural disasters, marine and building projects in each State and territorial jurisdiction of Australia, New Zealand and throughout South East Asia. Matt regularly acts as local counsel for law firms from other jurisdictions on projects being developed in Australia. He is the author of the Australian Chapter of the Projects and Construction Review.
Advising on all aspects of construction, infrastructure and major engineering projects, Matt works side by side with his clients and their external consultants to successfully deliver their projects. He is often engaged by clients at an early stage to advise clients on risk mitigation and administration of contracts so as to avoid protracted disputes. He is retained to assist clients with regulatory issues in respect of their operations across Australia and is sought by Boards, Executive Leadership Teams and General Counsel to be a sounding board on the delivery of projects. Clients draw on his experience of the project lifecycle and he has represented Government agencies, principals, contractors and superintendents in disputes.
As a construction law specialist, Matt’s technical knowledge and experience has resulted in him being regularly engaged as a speaker on Construction Law for both client workshops and industry conferences. Matt is also a guest lecturer at The University of Queensland in the Engineering Faculty.
Matt is acknowledged within the building and construction industry as an expert on adjudication disputes under the Security of Payment legislation and has been involved in a number of significant adjudication proceedings, representing claimants and respondents in each jurisdiction within Australia and New Zealand. He has contributed to the development of Security of Payment legislation both in Australia and in other developing jurisdictions and is an active participant in the Society of Construction Law.
Matt and his team regularly represent clients in litigation, domestic and international arbitration, expert determination, mediation and adjudication under the Security of Payment legislation throughout Australia.
He holds a Master of Construction Law from the University of Melbourne.
Outcomes of Developer Review Panel
Role of property developers under review and significant industry reforms foreshadowed
QBCC Governance Review Report released – key recommendations examined
Acting for various state government and local government authorities, including the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and leading the NDRAA flood recovery and restoration projects for Toowoomba Regional Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Maranoa Regional Council for the 2011 and 2013 flood events.
Advising on various LNG projects in Queensland and the Northern Territory, including the $800 million QCLNG gathering systems contractual framework and associated claims, INPEX civil works, APLNG civil works, GLNG civil works, Arrow Energy Ltd and AGL JV civil works contracts for bulk excavation and dams.
Advising on the contracts associated with the construction of the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET), Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, Gladstone Port and the advising on the Hay Point, Lae and Kimbe expansion projects and the resolution of claims.
Advising the Clough Downer Joint Venture on its $1.45 billion civil and pipeline works on the GLNG project in Queensland and advising an international pipeline contractor on the Victoria Northern Interconnector Expansion project.
Advising various contractors on major coal and Iron Ore disputes in the Bowen Basin, Hunter Valley and Western Australia. Recently advising international contractors on the resolution of claims on the Roy Hill project including with respect to the conversion of security.
Advising Hutchinson Builders on the Hobart Central Project which involved the reconstruction of a rivulet wall and shopping centre.
Acting on behalf of a contractor engaged on the construction of the Kurilpa Bridge which links South Bank and the Brisbane CBD.
Acting on behalf of an international materials handling supplier with respect to the construction of a jetty in Western Australia.
