Matthew’s expertise includes:

• Acting in judicial review and appellate proceedings
• Acting in merits review proceedings
• Acting in freedom of information (FOI) and other information release claims
• Acting in various types of alternative dispute resolution
• Advising on statutory interpretation and compliance
• Advising on the development and implementation of government policy
• Conducting reviews of the governance, regulatory frameworks and decision-making frameworks of government agencies
• Managing high volume and high profile litigation in courts and tribunals

• Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs): Matthew regularly appears before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and the federal courts as a solicitor advocate. His practice involves a blend of high volume litigation and high profile and sensitive litigation. He has instructed and appeared in numerous matters before the Federal Court of Australia, including the Full Federal Court.
• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA): Matthew regularly acts on behalf of the NDIA in merits review proceedings before the AAT. In acting for the NDIA, Matthew adopts a strong resolution focus through the AAT’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes, and acts in accordance with the Commonwealth’s model litigant obligations. Matthew has also had conduct on behalf of the NDIA of a number of significant appellate cases before the Federal Court of Australia.
• Services Australia: Matthew has acted on behalf of Services Australia, including providing advice on the interpretation and application of portfolio legislation and policy, including complex social security, child support and early release of superannuation matters, as well as preparing instruments of delegation and authorisation. Matthew has also appeared before the AAT on second review of a number of administrative decisions.
• Statutory interpretation and government policy: Matthew regularly advises government departments in relation to statutory interpretation and government policy. He has also worked on a large number of freedom of information matters.