About Me
Barrister- at-Law
BA (Murdoch) | LLB (Hons I – Univ. Medal) (SCU) | GDLP (ANU) | MSt (Oxon) (Dist I) |
Benedict Coyne is specialist in employment, industrial and workplace law and a passionate advocate for human rights. Prior to his call to the Bar, Benedict was an Accredited Specialist in Workplace Relations through the Queensland Law Society (QLS) and the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV).
Benedict has a nation-wide practice focusing on employment law and public law/human rights litigation including, inter alia, administrative law, class actions, discrimination law, tort claims, and professional disciplinary matters (i.e. representing medical practitioners, legal practitioners and police officers). Benedict has wide-ranging experience in representing both employers and employees in various types of employment matters in multiple state and federal jurisdictions. Benedict has appeared led and unled in the Federal Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Supreme Court of Tasmania, the District Court of Queensland and other courts in employment / industrial, public law and criminal law matters. Benedict is regularly briefed to run matters in the State and Federal Courts, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC), the Fair Work Commission (FWC), and the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).
Benedict draws on over a decade-and-a-half of diverse, varied and innovative litigation experience at national preeminent law firms and more recently as Executive Counsel and Special Counsel respectively at two boutique Queensland law firms listed in Doyle’s Guide. Benedict also has experience in criminal prosecution and defence, and is briefed to appear in coronial inquests. He has experience as a solicitor in child protection matters and appearing in Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry.
Prior to being called to the private Bar, Benedict practised as a solicitor in Brisbane working for a national class actions firm and a specialist Queensland employment law and discrimination law firm. While practising as a solicitor, Benedict successfully obtained Specialist Accreditation in Workplace Relations Law from the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) and the Queensland Law Society (QLS) which he maintains at the Private Bar. Benedict was previously Associate to Justice Mordecai Bromberg on the Federal Court of Australia in Melbourne and national president of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) for two consecutive terms. Benedict completed his Masters in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford with Distinction. In 2021 Benedict was appointed as a Member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for a three-year appointment.
Prior to being called to the Bar, Benedict successfully obtained Specialist Accreditation in Workplace Relations Law from the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) and the Queensland Law Society (QLS). Benedict has experience in representing both employers and employees in matters in multiple jurisdictions including the Federal Courts, the State Courts, the Fair Work Commission, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC), the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC). In 2021 Benedict was appointed by the Governor-in-Council as a part-time Member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT).
Benedict is briefed in a number of class actions/representative proceedings including currently the Queensland Police Service (QPS) COVID Vaccine Mandate Class Action, and the Bravus/Adani Mining Racial Vilification representative proceedings. Benedict was recently briefed in the Western Australian Stolen Wages/Slavery class action (led by William Edwards SC and Joshua Creamer of Counsel), the Ms Julieka Dhu class action (filed in the Federal Court in Perth), the Channel 9 Palm Island section 18C Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) class action (filed in the Federal Court in Melbourne/Sydney) the Banksia Hill Detention Centre AHRC Group Complaint/ class action. Benedict has been briefed to investigate and advise on prospects of a class action into Pacific Labour Scheme, a class action against the Public Trustee and Kids in Adult Watch Houses. Benedict is currently briefed to investigate a range of other class actions in human rights, privacy rights and digital technologies, extraterritorial liability of Australian mining companies and mass sexual harassment and disability discrimination class actions against prominent Australian institutions.
At the completion of his graduate law degree, Benedict graduated with first class Honours and was awarded the University Medal and a number of academic awards from the NSW Bar Association for outstanding academic achievement. Benedict then served for a year as Associate to the Hon. Justice Mordy Bromberg on the Federal Court of Australia in Melbourne during which time he developed a strong interest in workplace and industrial law and the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), particularly section 18C. Prior to his Associateship, Benedict was employed at the Fair Work Ombudsman whilst completing his law degree (LLB).
Benedict subsequently completed a Masters (MSt) in International Human Rights Law (IHRL) at the University of Oxford, graduating with highest level distinction. Following that, with a number of colleagues from his Masters cohort he helped setup an international business and human rights consultancy, Synceritas.
Between 2016 - 2018, Benedict served two consecutive terms as national president of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), a national network of Australian solicitors, barristers, academics, judicial officers and law students who practise and promote international human rights law in Australia.
Combining the subject matter of his Masters dissertation and his work with ALHR, in February 2015 Benedict established and co-led the campaign for a Queensland Human Rights Act which after a sustained campaign of over four years achieved the passage of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld).
Areas of Practice
Class Actions | Human Rights | Contract Disputes | Education Law | Negotiation | Restraint of Trade | Redundancy | Disciplinary Action | |Workplace Bullying | General Protections | Unfair Dismissal | Sexual Harassment | Workplace Discrimination | Industrial Disputes | Whistleblower Protections | Privacy Issues | Environmental Law | Cultural Heritage
Class Actions
Benedict is briefed in a number of class actions/representative proceedings including currently the Queensland Police Service (QPS) COVID Vaccine Mandate Class Action, and the Bravus/Adani Mining Racial Vilification representative proceedings.
Benedict was briefed in the Western Australian Stolen Wages/Slavery Class Action (led by William Edwards SC and Joshua Creamer of Counsel), the Ms Julieka Dhu Fines Imprisonment Racial Discrimination Class Action (filed in the Federal Court in Perth), a number of Palestinian/Jewish Australian Racial Discrimination Representative Proceedings against prominent media commentators, the Channel 9 Palm Island section 18C Racial Vilification Class Action (filed in the Federal Court of Australia in Melbourne/Sydney) the Banksia Hill Detention Centre/Unit 18 AHRC Group Complaints/ Class Actions (filed in the Federal Court of Australia in Perth).
Benedict has been briefed to investigate and advise on a wide-range of other class actions in human rights, privacy rights and digital technologies, extraterritorial liability of Australian mining companies and mass sexual harassment and disability discrimination class actions against prominent Australian institutions. This includes advising on prospects of a class action into Pacific Labour Scheme, a class action against the Public Trustee, Kids in Adult Watch Houses, widespread breaches of privacy by multinational social media companies including Bytedance (the owner of TikTok).
Benedict was previously employed as a class actions lawyer at one of Australia’s pre-eminent class actions firms. During that time, he worked on the Queensland Floods Class Action and the Equine Influenza Class Action as well as involvement in shareholder class actions and investigating prospective toxic tort class actions including lead contamination.
As a senior solicitor and litigator, Benedict ran a number of Group Complaints/representative proceedings in the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) against Google, Apple and Facebook and Channel 7 Sunrise for racial discrimination/vilification claims all of which successfully resolved prior to hearing. He has since been involved in investigating and formulating prospective class actions including the PFAS representative proceedings in Katherine and Darwin.
Benedict successfully completed the Class Actions Masters Course at the University of Melbourne taught by the Hon. Justice Bernard Murphy of the Federal Court of Australia. The course encompassed the origins of class actions/representative proceedings and developing class action jurisprudence in Australia and overseas comparable jurisdictions.
Employment, Industrial & Professional Disciplinary Matters
Benedict is regularly briefed to represent medical practitioners/professionals, legal practitioners/professionals, Military Veterans, and Public Servants (including at the executive level, media advisors, police officers and corrective service officers) in professional disciplinary matters.
Benedict has broad-ranging experience successfully representing clients from executive level positions at multinational companies to medical professionals, senior educators, legal professionals, Tradies and independent contractors in a wide variety of claims and causes of action.
Benedict has successfully represented a wide variety of Public Servants from a range of departments and agencies and levels of experience including Senior Ministerial Staffers, Deputy Commissioners, Chief Medical Officers, police officers, medical professionals, senior level managers, Paramedics, Police Officers, Corrective Service Officers as well as local government employees.
Prior to being called to the bar, Benedict successfully completed his Specialist Accreditation in Workplace and Industrial Law through the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) and the Queensland Law Society (QLS). Benedict has broad-ranging experience representing both employees and employers from a wide variety of professions and industries. In the federal jurisdiction, encompassing the Federal Court of Australia (FCA), the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), the Fair Work Commission (FWC), and the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). In the Queensland jurisdiction, Benedict is regularly briefed to appear in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC), the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) and the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC). Benedict has also been briefed in matters before the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
Benedict has successfully represented numerous medical and legal professionals, Military Veterans, Executives, a Chief Medical Officer, police officers and Corrective Service Officers in various types of claims relating to their employment
Benedict was successful in representing 54 police officers in a judicial review proceeding pursuant to the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) against the Queensland Police Service (QPS) COVID-Vaccine Mandate: Johnston & Sutton & Ors v Carroll (Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service) & Anor [2024] QSC 2; 19 QR 1
Benedict was successful in representing 400+ council workers in defeating the proposed Vaccine Mandate policy of Gold Coast Council sought to be introduced to apply to 4,500 workers. He also represented 39 paramedics and employees of Ambulance Victoria in an industrial dispute against the Vaccine Mandate in December 2021.
Administrative & Constitutional
Benedict is a strong proponent of freedom of speech and democracy. Benedict is briefed to appear in constitutional matters including in relation to the Implied Freedom of Political Communication in the Australian Constitution.
Benedict is regularly briefed to appear in the Supreme Court of Queensland in judicial review applications and successfully represented 54 police officers in the judicial review of the Queensland Police Service (QPS) COVID-Vaccine Mandate Directions pursuant to the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld): Johnston & Sutton & Ors v Carroll (Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service) & Anor [2024] QSC 2; 19 QR 1
As a solicitor, Benedict had wide-ranging experience successfully representing clients in judicial review matters before the Federal Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Queensland.
Benedict has experience formulating innovative and robust frameworks for decisive litigation on matters of significant importance including in the areas of regulation of the medical profession, environmental protection, Migration Law, Native Title and involving constitutional arguments including the implied freedom of political communication.
Benedict is currently briefed in a number of matters regarding judicial review of forestry/logging practices in Tasmania.
Benedict has appeared judicial review proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia led by Julian Burnside QC representing a medical doctor in an application against the federal Minister for Health and the Director of the Professional Services Review, inter alia, under the Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth) including constitutional argument on the Implied Freedom of Political Communication in the Australian Constitution.
Defamation & Vilification
Benedict accepts briefs for vilification claims (i.e. vilification on the grounds of race, religion, sexuality, sex characteristics or gender identity) and has successfully represented numerous clients pursuing such claims.
Benedict accepts briefs in defamation claims and has represented numerous clients in relation to defamation.
Benedict has:
successfully represent LGBTIQ+ clients in a long-running vilification claim against a prominent media commentator which was recently successful on appeal: Hill & Valkyrie v Shelton (No 2) [2026] QCATA 46; Hill & Valkyrie v Shelton [2025] QCATA 121
successfully represent LGBTIQ+ clients in a long-running vilification claim against a prominent media commentator represent LGBTIQ+ clients in a strike application of a judicial review application filed in the Supreme Court of Queensland: Shelton v Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal [2026] QSC 126
Privacy & Digital Rights
Benedict holds significant interest in the area of privacy rights and has experience in privacy rights litigation.
Benedict accepts briefs for breaches of privacy that may be actionable as a tort for breach of privacy and the new Statutory Tort for Serious Invasions of Orivacy under Schedule 2 of the Privacy Act 1998 (Cth).
Benedict has represented clients in claims for damages for breaches of privacy rights in the State jurisdiction by government agencies pursuant to Chapter 5 of the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld). Benedict also represents clients in reviewing and appealing Right to Information (RTI) decisions and Freedom of Information (FOI) decisions.
Benedict was previously appointed as supervisor of the Edinburgh International Justice Initiative (EIJI) (at the University of Edinburgh Law School, Scotland) conducting a year-long investigation and comparative analysis into the use of biometric surveillance by law enforcement agencies in three European jurisdictions for European Digital Rights (EDRi) .
Benedict was previously appointed to the Advisory Council of Digital Rights Watch Australia.
Commissions, Inquests and Inquiries
Benedict was briefed to appear in the Queensland Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry.
Benedict has significant experience as a solicitor in representing and appearing for bereaved families in Coronial Inquests and Coronial Investigations, namely in a number of Death-in-Custody and Death-in-Care Inquests. Benedict has significant insight and empathy for families going through this process from his own personal experiences.
Benedict also has experience in representing and appearing for clients in a variety of Commissions and Inquiries including the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Case Study No. 38 with respect to the criminal process (which subsequently prompted legislative reform regarding tendency and coincidence evidence) and the Grantham Floods Commission of Inquiry.
Human Rights & Discrimination
Benedict has a deep and abiding interest in human rights and social justice issues stemming from his secondary education at John XXIII College under the motto of ‘Seek Justice’. As both a barrister and solicitor, Benedict has represented a broad range of clients in wide ranging unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment claims in both the State and Federal jurisdictions including, inter alia, racial discrimination group claims against some of the largest companies in the world (Google, Apple and Facebook) and large media companies (Channel 7/ Seven West Media Ltd) as well as representing women from all walks of life in sexual harassment and sex discrimination claims and children against educational institutions in disability discrimination and age discrimination claims.
Between 2016 and 2018 Benedict served two consecutive terms as national president of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), a national association of legal professionals active in practicing and promoting awareness of international human rights standards in Australia. During his tenure, and in conjunction with his Masters dissertation, Benedict co-founded and launched the campaign for a Queensland Human Rights Act which, after four years, was successful in seeing the passage of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld).
Benedict attended Australia’s Universal Periodic Review before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva as an NGO observer on behalf of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR).
Benedict has presented at numerous national conferences as a keynote speaker on human rights issues as well as at an international conference in Paris on the topic of international business and human rights.
Benedict has:
successfully represent LGBTIQ+ clients in a long-running vilification claim against a prominent media commentator which was recently successful on appeal: Hill & Valkyrie v Shelton (No 2) [2026] QCATA 46; Hill & Valkyrie v Shelton [2025] QCATA 121
successfully represent LGBTIQ+ clients in a long-running vilification claim against a prominent media commentator represent LGBTIQ+ clients in a strike application of a judicial review application filed in the Supreme Court of Queensland: Shelton v Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal [2026] QSC 126
successfully represent 54 Qld Police Officers against the Commissioner of Police’s Vaccine Mandate Directions pursuant to the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) which was successful: Johnston & Sutton & Ors v Carroll (Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service) & Anor [2024] QSC 2; 19 QR 1
represent approximately 450 Gold Coast City Council workers in an industrial dispute successfully overturning the Council’s attempted introduction of a Vaccine Mandate over a period of about 6 months;
represent 39 Ambulance Victoria paramedics and staff members in an urgent injunction against the vaccine mandate;
represent numerous Corrective Service Officers, Public/Private School Teachers against COVID Vaccine mandates, filed in the Supreme Court of Queensland and yet to be heard.
Intentional Torts & Personal Injury
Benedict has an energetic interest and experience in traditional and intentional tort claims including false imprisonment claims, assault and battery, misfeasance in public office, the tort of conspiracy to injure via lawful/unlawful means, and the tort of deceit.
Benedict has experience as a solicitor in litigating intentional tort claims in the District Court of Queensland as well as developing prospects for such cases in the federal jurisdiction. Benedict has a background in personal injury law in Queensland and was employed for a time at a leading national personal injury law firm successfully advancing claims for clients in workers compensation, motor vehicle accidents and public liability law.
Benedict is particularly interested in the tort of misfeasance in public office as a means of accountability in government decision-making and protecting the rights of people adversely impacted by such decisions.
International
Benedict has been engaged to perform international advocacy in a number of different areas, from assisting with death penalty defences in the Philippines to cases of alleged corruption in the Asia Pacific, as well as working with international law firms to lodge complains with various United Nations Treaty Bodies, Working Groups and Special Rapporteurs. Benedict has also been involved in devising and running international litigation strategies in education and administrative law matters for international students.
Benedict has an active interest in Business and Human Rights and along with a number of his colleagues from the University of oxford he assisted in co-founding an international business and human rights consultancy, Synceritas. During the start-up phase Benedict engaged numerous NGOs and an international banking representative in Geneva for various projects including drafting and consulting on a substantive submission to the federal Australian Parliamentary Inquiry and Consultation regarding the introduction of a Modern Slavery Act for Australia. Benedict was also previously a Visiting Fellow of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Faculty of Law International Law and Global Governance (ILGG) Research Program.
Cases/Decisions
PUBLIC LAW & APPELLATE MATTERS
Queensland Court of Appeal
Chief Executive of Queensland Corrective Services v Kay [2025] QCA 149 (with M Black)
Morant v Ryan (The State Coroner) [2023] QCA 109; 15 QR 208 (with D Wells)
Supreme Court of Queensland
Shelton v Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal [2026] QSC 126 (led by H Blattman KC)
Kay v Chief Executive of Queensland Corrective Services [2024] QSC 167 (with M Black)
Johnston & Ors v Carroll (Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service) & Anor; Witthahn & Ors v Wakefield (Chief Executive of Hospital and Health Services and Director General of Queensland Health); Sutton & Ors.. [2024] QSC 2 (27 February 2024) (In Proceeding Number 12168 of 2021 Sutton & Ors) (led by D O’Gorman SC)
Sandy v Queensland Human Rights Commissioner (No 2) [2023] QSC 74 (14 April 2023) (unled)
Sandy v Queensland Human Rights Commissioner [2022] QSC 277; 12 QR 556 (9 December 2022) (led by D O’Gorman SC)
BS4194/2025 Jack Lewandowski v Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service (unled - application for judicial review for recruitment decision)
BS8786/2022 Timothy Kay & Ors -v- Chief Executive of Queensland Corrective Services (judicial review of vaccine mandate and public health orders)
BS554/2022 Annette Forrester & Ors -v- Dr Peter Aitken, Acting Chief Health Officer Queensland & Ors (led - judicial review of vaccine mandate and public health orders)
MS3/2022 Jacob Aitken & Ors -v- Dr Peter Aitken, Acting Chief Health Officer Queensland & Ors (led judicial review of vaccine mandate and public health orders)
BS396/2022 Guy Jefferson & Ors -v- Jacob Aitken & Ors -v- Dr Peter Aitken, Acting Chief Health Officer Queensland & Ors (led judicial review of vaccine mandate and public health orders)
Supreme Court of Tasmania
Moorilla Estate Pty Ltd v Lau [2024] TASSC 49 (led by G Barns SC - MONA Ladies Lounge discrimination claim)
Federal Court of Australia
DMQ20 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2022] FCA 514 (6 May 2022) (unled - Application for judicial review of a decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal delivered on 22 June 2020)
Karmakar v Minister for Health (No 2) [2021] FCA 916; 177 ALD 83 (6 August 2021) (led by J Burnside QC and R de Luchi – judicial review of Professional Services Review decision and implied freedom of political communication ground)
United Nations Human Rights Committee Complaints
Peter Garlett & Ors -v- Commonwealth of Australia - UN Human Rights Committee Complaint
CLASS ACTIONS/REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDINGS
Supreme Court of Queensland
Merrett v State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) (No 2) [2026] QSC 154 (led by D Villa SC)
Merrett v State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) [2026] QSC 19 (led by D Villa SC)
Federal Court of Australia
Coedie McAvoy v Adani Mining Pty Ltd T/A Bravus Mining and Resources [2026] FCA 675 (led by D O’Gorman SC)
QUD730/2025 Trumpet of Patriots (ABN 89 675 531 191) & Clive Frederick Palmer -v- Australian Electoral Commission (unled - challenge to numerous decisions by the AEC)
WAD 237 of 2020 Mervyn Street -v- State of Western Australia (racial discrimination class action for Stolen Wages of Aboriginal peoples of Western Australia)
WAD 5 of 2022 Sherona Roe And Davin Ferreira as Co-Administrators of the Estate of the late Ms Julieka Dhu -v- State of Western Australia & Anor (racial discrimination class action brought against the State of Western Australia)
NTD 36 of 2019 Patrick Cumaiyi & Ors v Northern Territory of Australia & Ors (racial discrimination class action brought on behalf of the residents of Wadeye against the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments)
NTD 23 of 2021 Assumpta Gumbaduck v Northern Territory of Australia (racial discrimination class action brought on behalf of the residents of Wadeye against the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments)
VID 698 of 2021 Andrea Kyle-Sailor v Alex Heinke & Nine Entertainment Co Pty Limited (CAN 122 205 065) & Ors
Administrative Appeals Tribunal
2025/2219 Madison Holgate -v-National Disability Insurance Agency (unled - application for review of decision)
2021/8988 FHYF -v- National Disability Insurance Agency (unled - application for review of decision)
2021/1885 Bernadette Egan -v- Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (unled, administrative appeal of decision to not allow an assistance animal to travel in plane cabin from Belfast, Northern Ireland to Australia)
2019/2979 Stephanie Tempone -v- National Disability Insurance Agency (unled - application for review of decision)
2021/8746 Re LZXY -v- National Disability Insurance Agency (unled - application for review of decision)
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Hill & Valkyrie v Shelton (No 2) [2026] QCATA 46 (Drag Queen Story time Vilification)
Hill & Valkyrie v Shelton [2025] QCATA 121 (Drag Queen Story time Vilification)
ADL057-20 Dwayne Hill -v- Lyle Shelton (led - vilification claim on the grounds of gender identity and sexuality)
ADL058-20 Johnny Valkyrie -v- Lyle Shelton (led vilification claim on the grounds of gender identity and sexuality)
GAR280-21 David v Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (unled – application for review of decision with human rights grounds)
ADL003-22 Martin Flynn v State of Queensland (Department of Corrective Services) & Anor
ADL051-22 ADL052-22 Brett Danks v State of Queensland (Department of Corrective Services) & Anor
EMPLOYMENT, DISCRIMINATION & INDUSTRIAL LAW MATTERS
Federal Court of Australia
QUD76/2026 Sook-Shien (Hannah) Then - v- L. & A. Services Pty Ltd as Trustee for Bradley Services Unit Trust t/a/ Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology (ABN 92 917 996 291) & Ors (unled - General Protections/Adverse Action Application under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
QUD65/2026 Michael Hook -v- Tadan Oceania Pty Ltd (ACN 142 236 995) & Ors (unled - General Protections/Adverse Action Application under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
QUD 376 of 2022 Tiejwana Alice Tenillie McLennan -v- State of Queensland & Ors (racial discrimination and intentional tort claim) (led by D O’Gorman SC)
VID 405 of 2022 Caitlin Gwynne -v- University of Melbourne (unled – disability discrimination claim under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth))
Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia
BRG12/2026 Chalvatzis -v- Fulton Hogan Australia (Management) Pty Ltd & Anor (unled - General Protections/Adverse Action Application under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
BRG102/2024 Helen McBride -v- Body Corporate for West Village Two CTS 53219 & Allen Hunt ((unled – disability discrimination claim under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth))
BRG376/2022 Jesus Ramos -v- Teddy Co Funland Pty Ltd & Anor (General Protections/Adverse Action Application under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
BRG406/2021 Lorraine Cullen -v- Ozcare (ACN 072 422 925) & Ors (General Protections/Adverse Action Application under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth))
MLG737/2022 Hella Szilagyi -V- Arpad Elderly Welfare Society Incorporated (ABN 65 553 697 438) & Anor (unled – General Protections/Adverse Action claim under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth))
Fair Work Commission
C2021/8244 - Cayzer v Ambulance Victoria (unled – urgent injunction to restrain termination of employment)
U2020/9343 - Lu, Jinyi v National Australia Bank Ltd (unled – unfair dismissal claim and hearing)
Australian Human Rights Commission
2022-01386 Nasser Mashni v Commonwealth of Australia (represented by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) & Ors (racial discrimination claim re Commonwealth policy on Israel and Palestine conflict)
2022-07404, 2022-07591, 2022-18862 Complaint by Ms Leeanne Sharp on behalf of herself and her daughter against International Education Services Ltd t/as IES College (the College) and Others (disability discrimination in education claim)
Queensland Industrial Relations Commission
D/2022/82 - David Allan & Ors v State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) (unled - notice of industrial dispute re the Queensland Police Service 4th booster COVID-19 vaccine mandate)
TD/2021/44 - Emma Becirevic v State of Queensland (Queensland Health) (unled - reinstatement claim)
D/2022/18, D/2022/19, D/2022/20, D/2022/21, D/2022/22, D/2022/23, D/2022/24, D/2022/25 Warwick & Ors v Council of the City of Gold Coast (unled – Notices of Industrial Dispute regarding lack of consultation in introducing COVID-19 vaccine mandate)
TORT MATTERS
District Court of Queensland
1436/18 Paul Edward George Gibbons -v- State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) (led - traditional tort claim against the State of Queensland (Department of Corrective Services) and a number of Queensland Police Officers)
626/18 Jarrod Clayton -v- State of Queensland (Department of Corrective Services) (led - traditional tort claims against the State of Queensland (Department of Corrective Services) and a number of Queensland Corrective Service Officers)
Magistrates Court of Queensland
M55/2019 Timothy David Jones -v- Mark Cheers (unled for the defendant in personal injury public liability claim)
COMMERCIAL MATTERS
Supreme Court of Queensland
Aronis v Aronis [2022] QSC 39 (30 March 2022) BS12875/15 Theodora Loula Aronis as Executor of the Estate of Peter George Aronis (Deceased) & Anor -v- Matina Aronis As Executor of the Estate of Maria Aronis (Deceased) (led – claims in equity/estoppel)
District Court of Queensland
PropelL Property Pty Ltd (ACN 612 460 929) & Ors -v- Lachlan Creese (No. 2613/2025)
Magistrates Court of Queensland
M68/18 Caloundra Christian College Limited (ACN 105 326 814) T/As Caloundra Christian College -V- Wayne Armstrong
CRIMINAL MATTERS
District Court of Queensland
R -v- Cutter (unled for the prosecution)
Magistrates Court of Queensland
R -v- Wooler (unled for the climate protestor defendant)
INQUESTS & INQUIRIES
Queensland Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry - briefed to represent numerous Aboriginal Elders
Coroners Court of Queensland
2019/3619 Inquest into the death of Logan Dreier (briefed for the family of the deceased in high-speed police chase of stolen vehicle)
Recent Decisions & Matters
QCA Chief Execuive of Queensland Corrective Services v Kay [2025] QCA 149 (with M Black)
QSC QUD496/2025 Gurdeep Singh v State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) (unlawful racial discrimination/racial vilification claim)(unled)
QIRC AD/2025/29 Wheeler v Bupa Hi Pty Ltd (brief for the Respondent)(unled)
QIRC GP/2025/7 - Dr Charles Pain, v Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) & Ors (General Protections claim) (unled)
QMHC Applicant v Attorney General for the State of Queensland and another [2025] QMHC 3 (restricted decision) (unled)
QSC BS 14484/24 - Merrett & ors v State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) & Anor (QPS COVID Vaccine Mandate Class Action)(led by D Villa SC)
QSC Kay v Chief Executive of Queensland Corrective Services [2024] QSC 167 (Davis J) (with M Black)
TASSC Moorilla Estate Pty Ltd v Lau [2024] TASSC 49 (MONA sex discrimination case) (led by G Barns SC)
FWC C2024/9 - Winfield v Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (General Protections Claim)
AAT 2024/0929 and 2024/1064 - Sydall v National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS appeal)
FCFCOA BRG102/2024 - McBride v Body Corporate for West Village Two CTS 53219 (ABN 55 267 806 068) & Anor (Unlawful disability discrimination, disability harassment, and victimisation claim) (unled)
FCFCOA BRG516/2024 - Pilling v David Jones Pty Ltd (ACN 000 074 573) & Anor (General Protections Claim) (unled)
QDC BD122/24 - Love v State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) (intentional tort claim) (unled)
QSC Johnston & Ors v Carroll (Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service) & Anor; Witthahn & Ors v Wakefield (Chief Executive of Hospital and Health Services and Director General of Queensland Health); Sutton & Ors. [2024] QSC 2 (Martin SJA)(27 February 2024) (In Proceeding Number 12168 of 2021 Sutton & Ors) (led by D O’Gorman SC)
Queensland Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry (counsel instructed by various witnesses)
QCAT Valkyrie and Hill v Shelton [2023] QCAT 302 (led by G Barns SC) (judgment reserved on appeal)
FCA DAJ22 as Litigation Representative for DAH22 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs [2023] FCA 1677 (led by S Keim SC and D Wells)
FCA Cumaiyi v Northern Territory of Australia (No 3) [2023] FCA 1288 (Wadeye class action) (with J Hartley)
QIRC GP/2023/28 - David Kempton v Torres Strait Island Regional Council & Ors (General Protections and unlawful political belief/activity discrimination claim) (unled)
QCA Morant v Ryan (The State Coroner) [2023] QCA 109; 15 QR 208 (with D Wells and M Thomas)
FWC U2023/4082 Stephen v The Trustee For Logan City Trust (for the Respondent employer)(unled)
UNHRC Garlett & Ors -v- Australia - UN Human Rights Committee Complaint (with P Keyzer)
FCFCOA BRG376/2022 - Ramos, Jesus v Teddy Co Funland Pty Ltd (General Protections Claim) (unled)
QIRC GP/B10/2023 Savage, Wayne v Darling Downs Moreton Rabbit Board (General Protections application) (unled)
QIRC D82/2022 - Allan & Ors v State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) (Industrial Dispute - Over 50yo COVID Vaccine Direction) (unled)
QSC Sandy v Queensland Human Rights Commissioner (No 2) [2023] QSC 74 (Williams J) (14 April 2023) (unled)
Deborah Morris -v- Commonwealth of Australia (ADF Veteran defective administration claim, act of grace payment application and Comcare claim)
FCA VID698 of 2021 Kyle-Sailor v Heinke & Ors (LR 200104) (Channel 9 unlawful racial vilification class action) (led by R Merkel SC and J Hartley)
QSC Sandy v Queensland Human Rights Commissioner [2022] QSC 277 (Williams J) (9 December 2022) (led by D O’Gorman SC)
FCA WAD237/2020 FCA - Street & Ors v State of Western Australia (WA Stolen Wages/Slavery Class Action - Preservation of Evidence Hearings) (with W Edwards and J Creamer)
FCA VID405/2022 - Caitlin Gwynne v The University of Melbourne (unlawful disability discrimination claim) (unled)
FCA DMQ20 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2022] FCA 514 (Collier J) (6 May 2022) (decision appealed further to the FCFCA and the HCA by other counsel)
FCA WAD5/2022 - Dhu & Ors v The State of Western Australia & Anor (WA unpaid fines unlawful racial discrimination class action)
AAT 2021/1885 - Egan and Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (review re importation of disability assistance animal)(pro bono with Basic Rights Qld)
QCC Inquest into the Death of Logan Dreier (high speed police pursuit fatality, Gold Coast (briefed to represent the Family) (14 October 2021) (with M Rawlings of Counsel instructed by Caxton Community Legal Centre)
QSC Aronis v Aronis [2022] QSC 39 (Jackson J) (30 March 2022) (led by K Howe with T O’Brien of Counsel)
QIRC D/2022/18-25 - City of the Gold Coast Pro-Choice Alliance Inc. (ACN 657 100 117) v- Council of the City of Gold Coast - Industrial Dispute filed on behalf of 1000+ employees of the Council of the City of the gold Coast which successfully defeated the proposed CoGC COVID-19 Vaccination mandate).
FWC Sharon Cayzer v Ambulance Victoria [2021] FWC 6553 (Deputy President Mansini) (9 December 2021) (unled against F Parry QC and J Tracey)
FCA Karmakar v Minister for Health (No 2) [2021] FCA 916 (Logan J) (led by J Burnside QC with R de Luchi )
AMS v Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia [2019] QCAT 400 (Judge Allen DCJ) (prior to being called to the Bar)
AMS v Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (No 2) [2019] QCAT 401 (Judge Allen DCJ) (prior to being called to the Bar)
Qualifications, Awards, Memberships
Bar Roll: 2021 Admitted: 2011
Bachelor of Laws LLB (Grad.) (Hons I)(SCU) Graduated with First Class Honours and the University Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement and received the following academic awards at graduation:
§ The Stone & Partners Prize for graduating student with best overall academic performance.
§ The New South Wales Bar Association Prizes for Legal Ethics.
§ The New South Wales Bar Association Prizes for the Philosophy of Law.
Masters (MSt) in International Human Rights Law (Dist I), UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Graduated with Distinction I. Elected and served as Student Representative for 2013-2015. Regional correspondent for the Oxford Human Rights Hub.
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY | Bachelor of Arts in History & Environmental Ethics MURDOCH UNIVERSITY (Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation for Academic Excellence; Conservation and Land Management Environment Award) | Diploma in Counseling (Sophia College) | Class Action Law Masters Unit (Non-Award), UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE | SPECIALIST ACCREDITATION Workplace & Industrial Relations Law, LAW INSTITUTE OF VICTORIA (LIV) | QUEENSLAND LAW SOCIETY (QLS) Practice Management Course
Awards: ALA Qld Civil Justice Award (2015) Baby Ferouz legal team | Southern Cross University Young Alumnus of the Year Award (2014) | Southern Cross University, School of Law & Justice, Alumnus of the Year Award (2014) | National Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award (2014) (Australian Lawyers Alliance & Amnesty International) | Youth Without Borders Human Rights Award (2013).
Memberships: Bar Association of Queensland (BAQ); Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR); Holding Redlich Workplace Relations Accredited Specialists’ Discussion Group; Law Council of Australia - International Law Section; Australian Association of Constitutional Law; Australian Institute of Administrative Law; Queensland Law Society (Associate Membership);
Contact Me
ASPECT CHAMBERS
Level 19, 239 George Street
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA 4000
E: bcoyne@qldbar.asn.au
T: (07) 3187 5560 M: +61 434 915 713
