A specialist in complex and contentious workplace matters and litigation, John is a trusted adviser to state and federal governments, boards, major Australian businesses and institutions on the issues that affect their operations and reputations. He also advises on national employment strategies, serious investigations and industrial plans for multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects.
John is also one of Australia’s leading advisers on Royal Commissions, Judicial Inquiries, regulatory and integrity commissions and whistle-blower laws. John has both led teams as solicitors assisting (on the Royal Commission into Family Violence amongst others) and acted for significant interested parties.
John offers clients a unique perspective, instilled by his extensive experience across multiple industries and sectors public and private. He has consistently been listed as a leading lawyer by legal directories and publications including Chambers and Partners, Asia Pacific Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Doyle’s Guide, Who’s Who Legal and others.
John is a Vincent Fairfax Fellow on Ethics and a member of the Industrial Relations Society of Victoria and the Australian Human Resources Institute. He is the Australian Representative for Ius Laboris the Chambers Elite Global Employment Alliance, a member of the University of Melbourne Law School Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law Advisory Board, and a board member of RMIT University Law School Juris Doctor Advisory Board.
Key deals
State Government of Victoria
Advised the State Government of Victoria on numerous public sector enterprise agreements including the Nurses and Mid-wives Agreement 2016-2020 covering salaries in excess of A$14 billion, the Disability Services Enterprise Agreement in the lead up to the tender of disability services to the non-government sector and the fire services enterprise agreements covering the MFB and CFA.
Exxon Mobil Kipper Tuna Turrum Project and Gas Conditioning Plant
Advised the lead EPCM contractor of Exxon Mobile’s A$4.5 billion Bass Strait expansion on the industrial relations strategy and workforce management plan and construction of the Kipper Tuna and Turrum Project, managing industrial action, disputes, safety issues and safety incidents arising on the project. Also advised on the related Gas Conditioning Plant Project, an A$1 billion investment to increase the capacity of the Longford assets of Exxon.
Royal Commission into Family Violence
Advised on developing and preparing the public hearings of the Royal Commission, preparation of the Report and Recommendations and supporting counsel on the operation of the Inquiries Act 2014.
Probuild
Advised on the incident response to the crane collapse on the Wolli Creek Project in New South Wales. Advised on dealing with the safety regulator in respect to the incident.
Qantas
Acted for the States of New South Wales and Victoria intervening in the Qantas dispute to argue in favour of the termination of the industrial action that led to the grounding of the airline’s entire fleet worldwide in October 2011.
IBAC Commission
Advised government departments and agencies on the mandatory reporting requirements and obligations to respond to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption investigations conducted under the IBAC Act 2011.
Australian Football League
Advised the AFL on its A$1.144 billion collective bargaining agreement, addressing the industrial relations and the bargaining framework that culminated in the AFL and players reaching a five year Collective Agreement.
Australia Post
Advised Australia Post on its national enterprise agreement which is one of the largest in Australia covering over 40,000 employees across the country. Advised on the communications plan, bargaining approach, voting and approval process and alignment with the Commonwealth’s Public Sector bargaining policy framework.
RMIT University
Advised on the 2018 enterprise agreement negotiations that cover over 8,000 academic and professional employees and advised on responding to a PABO, good faith bargaining and the process for communication and approval.
Boeing
Advised Boeing on its 2018 enterprise agreement negotiated with the AMWU and approved by a majority of employees without the support of the union on Victoria’s largest manufacturing site located in Melbourne. Advised on responding to a PABO and protected and unprotected industrial action.