
State Government QLD
Queensland Government’s trusted legal advisers with local expertise
At McCullough Robertson, we bring the intimate service delivery of a trusted local adviser with the resources and strength of one of Australia’s largest independent law firms. With decades of hands-on experience and strong relationships across all levels of government, we understand how to navigate the complex frameworks that underpin government projects.
With genuine understanding of the ‘ins and outs’ of State Government operations and processes, we have hands-on experience working with the public sector and have long lasting relationships as trusted advisors to the State.
We provide strategic advice to Queensland State Government, government-owned corporations and statutory bodies to support the delivery of critical projects and services across the State in a highly regulated environment that is subject to a high degree of accountability.
Our Queensland Government lawyers manage stakeholder interests and deliver practical, mutually beneficial outcomes
With a strong knowledge of policy drivers and a whole-of-government approach to our work, we are conscious of not only the legal position, but the broader political and policy context. Many of our lawyers bring experience from working directly within Queensland Government on secondment and as former government officers.
Services tailored to government needs
We provide comprehensive, specialist advice across the full spectrum of government legal needs, including:
- Administrative law
- Major projects and construction
- Planning and environment
- Employment relations and workplace safety
- Native title and cultural heritage
- Property and infrastructure
- Corporate and commercial
- Technology and intellectual property
- Litigation and prosecutions
By leveraging our understanding of what happens on the ground, we navigate the complexities of the public sector and deliver pragmatic solutions tailored to our clients’ needs. Whether it’s managing conflicting stakeholder interests or working under tight timeframes, we bring clarity, efficiency, and commercial acumen to every project.
Collaborative, proactive and reliable government lawyers
Our team are always available to support Queensland Government on its highest-priority and most time-sensitive matters. With strong networks across state departments and agencies, we are well-positioned to facilitate stakeholder engagement and help our clients build the trusted relationships needed to achieve long-term success.
We prioritise time in the regions to understand client challenges and opportunities firsthand. We frequent our longstanding regional and remote clients across Queensland to successfully deliver on their most significant projects and deliver training to support the future of their operations.
Dedicated to our State’s economic prosperity
Our commitment to Queensland’s prosperity extends beyond our legal support for government clients. We actively contribute to the State’s economy through our support for regional infrastructure projects, fostering partnerships with local businesses, and investing in initiatives that drive skills development and innovation. Our work includes pro bono contributions to community organisations, partnerships with educational institutions to nurture future leaders, and ongoing engagement with Indigenous businesses to promote economic inclusion. Through these efforts, we help create thriving communities and support Queensland’s long-term economic growth.
By aligning with the values and goals of Queensland’s government and its communities, we deliver not just technical solutions, but outcomes that support economic growth, infrastructure delivery, and community resilience.
To find out more, contact Dominic McGann, Lydia Daly or Peter Stokes.
Our legal expertise
Administrative and public law
Extensive experience advising government departments, agencies and statutory bodies in internal reviews, merits reviews and judicial reviews in the context of administrative decisions and in providing statutory interpretation and legislative drafting.
Major projects and construction
Delivering and advising on major state government infrastructure projects such as the Peninsula Developmental Road project, Bruce Highway Upgrade project, various university campus facilities, various rail and road projects, the Lake MacDonald Dam Upgrade project, the Rockwood Weir project, various wastewater and sewage infrastructure projects and various hospitals.
Planning and environment
Advising Queensland Government clients on all aspects of planning and environment law, including development approvals, appeals, compliance, infrastructure agreements, resumption and compensation and environmental issues. Our expertise extends to land access and tenure, environmental defence, executive officer liability, and representing the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) in appeals.
Employment relations and workplace safety
Supporting Queensland Government departments and agencies across enterprise bargaining, industrial relations compliance, and legislative reform. Our team regularly advises on complex investigations, disciplinary processes, public sector appeals, and workplace health and safety matters, successfully representing clients in litigation before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and the Industrial Court of Queensland.
Native title and cultural heritage
Working closely with the Queensland Government, Traditional Owners, project proponents and communities on all aspects of native title, including Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) and Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs). We communicate on a daily basis with Aboriginal parties, Prescribed Body Corporates and native title service providers and as a result have developed invaluable relationships that continually prove to be crucial for creating solutions for the State.
Property and land
Advising the state government, agencies and statutory bodies on the full spectrum of property matters, across due diligence, acquisitions and sales, joint venture agreements, structured titles, masterplanned developments, leases, licences, commercial agreements, project conveyancing and integrated resort developments. We advise across urban development and renewal, greenfield developments, master planned communities, retail and industrial sites, and commercial developments.
Corporate and commercial
Advise government departments and entities on corporate governance, joint ventures, grants and funding agreements, and the drafting, negotiation, and management of commercial contracts, including developing contract operations manuals and process frameworks.
Technology and intellectual property
Advising government departments and entities on privacy compliance, data security, record-keeping, and freedom of information, as well as intellectual property protection, commercialisation, and the procurement, implementation, and risk management of technology and telecommunications infrastructure.
Litigation and prosecution
Representing Queensland Government departments and agencies in complex litigation, civil statutory prosecutions, appeals, inquiries, QCAT proceedings, and alternative dispute resolution, providing strategic guidance to manage risk and uphold public confidence.
Your State Government team
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