Are you ready for the wave of legislative change and compliance risk reshaping conveyancing in Queensland? As Queensland transitions to the new Property Law Act 2023, and with new AML/CTF obligations about commence, learn from leading experts who will guide you through analysis of the latest cases, contract timing disputes, GST and FIRB developments, and disclosure requirements. Gain practical strategies to manage risk, compliance and professional responsibilities to ensure your conveyancing practice is fully prepared for the year ahead.

Presenters

Kathleen Ready, Director, RHR Legal
Kathleen Ready is the managing director of RHR Legal, a boutique firm that specialises in Property, Planning, Commercial Litigation, Family, Wealth protection, Estate Planning and Commercial Law and Family Law. Kathleen has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial, industrial, residential, retail property and planning law. As a highly skilled professional her experience extends to the following areas: acquisition and disposal of high rise commercial, retail and medical buildings, industrial property, multi-use development sites, high value islands off the Queensland coast, large and small retail shopping centres, property financing arrangements, and all associated documentation. She has a keen interest and knowledge in all aspects of Property which extends to consulting and negotiating with local councils in obtaining development approval; advising on allegations of contravention of the Environmental Protection Act; advising and acting for applicants and respondents in the Planning and Environment Court; and advising and acting for applicants seeking compensation under the Acquisition of Land Act in the Land Court. While practicing mainly in Queensland, Kathleen has a multi-jurisdictional practice that includes New South Wales and Victoria.

Angela Hellewell, Barrister, Inns of Court
Angela has a broad public, regulatory and commercial litigation practice. She advises and appears in a range of planning, environmental, construction, human rights, mining, family, property and land-related matters. Her experience has included appearances in courts and tribunals in both state and federal jurisdictions, as well as appearing as Counsel Assisting in an inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act. Angela has developed a significant practice in mining, energy and resources, and environmental law. She regularly appears in cases before the Land Court of Queensland and the Planning and Environment Court for mining proponents, statutory parties, and landholders. Angela has acted (led and unled) in resource compensation disputes, land access disputes and mining objections proceedings. She has experience in objections proceedings before the Land Court including appearing in the New Acland and Waratah Coal objection proceedings. She is a nationally accredited mediator, family dispute resolution practitioner (FDPR) and has been appointed to the Land Court ADR Panel as a Panel Mediator. Angela was admitted as a solicitor in 2007, and prior to being called to the Bar in 2017 was an in-house corporate lawyer for an energy company advising on regulatory approval, land access, environment and property. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business (Accounting).

Duncan Bedford, Partner, McCullough Robertson
Duncan is an expert in business and transaction structuring, taxation and foreign investment with a solid foundation in general commercial law which ensures his advice and solutions deliver value to clients. He designs and implements effective structures for transactions and asset ownership, always seeking to secure his clients cost-effective tax and stamp duty outcomes. This includes advising on stamp duty exemptions, assessments, private rulings and objections. Additionally he advises on corporate reconstructions, demergers, holding company interpositions and rollovers and general commercial matters. Duncan is also recognised for his expertise in managing matters before the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). He focuses on identifying and managing restrictions on foreign investment and advising on appropriate structures and processes for foreign companies, governments and individuals proposing to invest in Australia. Duncan has provided advice to clients across a range of industries and leads our Food and Agribusiness team.

Matthew Butchard, Senior Associate, Hamilton Locke
Matthew is a Senior Associate specialising in property and real estate law with a focus on commercial leasing and capital transactions involving commercial real estate assets. Throughout his career to-date, Matthew has assisted some of the world’s foremost real estate developers, fund managers and listed real estate funds. Matthew has also gained valuable in-house experience which allows him to understand and anticipate his clients’ internal needs and processes. Matthew’s expertise encompasses all facets of property law including retail, commercial, industrial and telecommunications leasing; capital transactions involving prominent real estate assets; residential, strata and commercial developments; and the use and development of land held on trust and administered by government entities. Prior to joining Hamilton Locke, Matthew worked in the Real Estate team at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, as well as an in-house solicitor for the Brisbane City Council.

Simon LaBlack, Director, LaBlack Lawyers
Simon practises exclusively in Property Law in Queensland. In 2017, he became one of now 25 Accredited Specialists in Queensland Property Law. Simon assists organisations and private clients in all property law related matters including property acquisitions and disposals, commercial property matters including leases, developments, transactions and disputes, subdivisions and compulsory acquisition matters. Simon is a member of the Queensland Law Society Property Law Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee, he is a member of the PEXA Member Advisory Council, he acts as a Court-Appointed Statutory Trustee for Sale and as a specialist consultant to the profession and he is a contributing author for LexisNexis in their practical guidance materials.

Roland Taylor, Lecturer, College of Law
Roland was admitted as a solicitor in 1993. He was made a partner of Mckays Solicitors in 2003. He has been in charge of Statewide Conveyancing, the conveyancing division of Mckays Solicitors since 2000. Statewide incorporated in 2011 and Roland was the managing director until January 2024 when he sold out of the business. Roland has since completed a masters of applied law. Roland is currently a lecturer at the College of Law. Roland has presented at over 50 Legal seminars since 2004. He is also the author of the legal textbook "Agent's Handbook".

Emile McPhee, Partner, Hamilton Locke
Emile McPhee takes an outcomes-oriented approach to his work, using his deep expertise to address challenges and build relationships, assisting clients in the property and finance space across Australia. Known for his passion about community partnerships and access to justice, Emile is always at the forefront of pursuing success for his clients and the community. Emile has developed niche specialisations in the areas of social and affordable housing, specialist disability accommodation and retirement living. He has a depth of experience acting on housing developments and operations of all sizes, as well as advising banks, private lenders and developers on property financing. In addition to his specialisations, Emile has significant experience in retail and commercial leasing, acquisitions and disposals, fund through arrangements, and property structuring and management, assisting on both one-off transactions and portfolio management. Emile is also an experienced banking and finance lawyer, and has assisted financiers, borrowers and guarantors on financing transactions ranging from significant off the plan property developments to project financing and the roll out of loan portfolios in excess of $1 billion. He is an industry leader in community housing financing, having assisted the sector in the development of the Queensland master funding agreement, as well as acting for many community housing providers (CHPs) on State, Federal and private financing arrangements. He is well-versed in assisting secured creditors and receivers on standstill arrangements and enforcement, and regularly advises on security arrangements including under the Personal Property Securities Act. With a deep connection to community, Emile serves as a Board member of Jacaranda Housing, a recognised Tier 2 CHP in Queensland, and is a member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Queensland Housing Supply & Affordability Committee. His passion for justice extends to his membership of the Queensland Law Society’s Access to Justice and Pro Bono Law Committee, as well as many years leading the LGBTI Legal Service. Prior to joining Hamilton Locke, Emile worked at McCullough Robertson for over 12 years.

Sam Mohammad, Partner, RSM Australia
Sam Mohammad leads RSM's National indirect tax practice and has over 20 years' experience advising on indirect taxes. Sam specialises in providing practical and easy to understand GST, duty and other indirect tax advice on complex matters, with a particular focus on clients in the property and infrastructure sectors. Sam's client base includes ASX-listed property developers (both residential and commercial), mid-scale and boutique developers focusing on the south-east Queensland market and government and non-government entities involved in large-scale infrastructure projects across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria (e.g., public private partnerships and development lease arrangements). Sam is a member of the ATO’s GST Stewardship Group and a member of the Tax Institute’s State Taxes Committee.

Sammuel Dobbie-Smitham, Senior Associate, McCullough Robertson
Sammuel is a Senior Associate at McCullough Robertson with 7 years’ experience in taxation law. Sammuel specialises in indirect taxes, primarily including stamp duty, GST, land tax and payroll tax. This specialisation is supported by a strong general tax knowledge base. Sammuel also holds expertise in FIRB laws, regulations and policies, and has experience in preparing FIRB applications and communicating with FIRB. Sammuel’s practice has provided exposure to a broad range of transactions, businesses and corporate structures. Sammuel has worked closely with clients in key industries, including property development and management, finance, insurance, mining and resources, defence, and retail.

Matthew Ray, Principal, Craig Ray & Associates
Matthew Ray is one of our principals. Matthew practices in the areas of property, wills and estates and family law, together with other general personal law matters. He graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours, and attained a Master of Laws in 2018, at which time he was admitted to the University of Queensland’s Faculty of Business, Economics and Law Dean’s Honour Roll for outstanding academic excellence. From 2017 to 2019 Matthew was a nationally accredited Mediator, under the Australian National Mediator Standards. Matthew’s post graduate studies have focused on estate planning and elder law, estate litigation and disputes, electronic commerce law and reforms and developments in property law. Matthew’s continuing involvement in higher education has seen him take on the role of an adjunct oral assessor at the College of Law, of which he is an alum. Matthew has extensive experience in project management, leadership of teams and working in the not-for-profit sector (including on state boards). Matthew was one of the inaugural members of the PEXA Member Advisory Council, working with colleagues across the state and representatives from PEXA, towards the continual improvement of the innovative property law settlement platform.