Examine the implications of Queensland’s new Trusts Act 2025 - the most significant reform to trust law in over 50 years. Replacing the Trusts Act 1973, the new legislation introduces mandatory changes to trustee duties and powers, the appointment and removal of trustees, and court oversight. Explore the practical impact on estate planning and administration, making it a critical update for anyone working with trusts in Queensland.

Presenters

Fran Becker, Partner, Hamilton Locke
Fran provides technically excellent, value-driven and commercially effective strategies and solutions for her clients and has practical experience in the private clients and agribusiness space, having grown up and been involved in the agribusiness industry all her life. She is a capable legal professional, known for her energy and enthusiasm in the workplace. Fran is an agribusiness and private client’s partner at Hamilton Locke. She is a trusted advisor to many privately owned businesses, families and high net worth individuals, advising on succession and business transition planning, complex estate planning, structuring and asset protection, and commercial, business and rural property transactions. Originally from Central Queensland, Fran with her husband now owns and runs a beef cattle enterprise in the Maranoa region, where she takes an active involvement in the day-to-day operations of the business and enjoys the reward of being a grazier, like many of her agribusiness clients. Prior to joining Hamilton Locke, Fran worked for Shand Taylor Lawyers and McCullough Robertson Lawyers.


Anthony Anderson, Barrister, Sir Harry Gibbs Chambers
Anthony is a barrister with a broad commercial advocacy and advice practice.  ​​He has a particular focus on advocacy and advice in the areas of tax (Federal and State), trusts, superannuation, insolvency, administrative law, business disputes, and wills and estates. Anthony regularly appears in the Federal and State Courts, and Tribunals. ​​Anthony accepts briefs throughout Australia.​​​ Anthony also appears at mediations in commercial and succession law matters.  Anthony accepts direct briefs from accounting firms to advise, and to settle objections and private ruling applications.


Chelsea Baker, Senior Associate, Cornford-Scott Lawyers
Chelsea Baker is a Senior Associate at Cornford-Scott Lawyers specialising in complex estate administration and litigation matters. Her experience extends to independent administrator and statutory trustee matters, claims for further provision, complex grants of representation and the administration of trusts. Chelsea also acts in guardianship and administration matters before QCAT and has been successful in investigating breaches of duties by attorneys, declarations for capacity and the removal of appointed decision makers. In 2023, and again in 2024, Chelsea was recognised as a Rising Star in the Doyle’s Guide category of Wills, Estates & Succession Planning. In 2024, Chelsea was also a Finalist for Senior Associate of the Year in the LawyersWeekly Women in Law Awards. Most recently, Chelsea was named as a Finalist for Queensland Solicitor of the Year (Small Firm) for 2025 in the QLS Excellence Awards. Chelsea is also a Committee Member of the QLS Succession Law Committee and a Board Member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Queensland Branch.


Bryan Mitchell TEP, Principal, Mitchells Solicitors
Bryan Mitchell TEP FTI is the managing director of Mitchells Solicitors. He is an Accredited Specialist in Succession Law. Bryan & his firm are recognised leaders in Estate Planning and Estate Litigation in Australia. His practice works almost exclusively in the areas of Wills, Estates, Trusts & Elder Law. Bryan is a regular presenter. He is the recipient of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners Australia Masters Award 2023; immediate past Chair of STEP Australia; former Chair of STEP Queensland; Deputy Chair for the Queensland Law Society Succession Law Policy Committee; Deputy Chair of the QLS Succession Law Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee and member of University of Queensland Law School Advisory Board.