EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Amelia has broad legal experience spanning in-house legal roles, policy development, legislative reform and regulatory work. Most recently, she has worked in the areas of cultural heritage, commercial law, and environmental law. Her expertise includes providing practical legal advice across government, contributing to complex policy and legislative projects, and supporting agencies in delivering legally sound programs.

Amelia takes a people-focused and collaborative approach to legal work, building strong working relationships with clients and colleagues to achieve practical, solutions-focused outcomes. With experience across federal government, she understands that each client and agency operates within a unique context. Amelia takes the time to understand their priorities, pressures, and policy objectives, allowing her to deliver legal advice that is not only accurate and clear, but also aligned with their broader goals. By tailoring her approach to suit each client’s specific needs, she aims to provide advice that is both legally sound and strategically valuable.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Developing and leading legislative reform proposals to introduce a compliance and enforcement regime aimed at enhancing the protection of First Nations cultural heritage, while providing greater transparency and certainty for industry. This involved researching and benchmarking regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions, with a focus on policy transformation, law reform, and administrative improvements. Throughout the process, she worked collaboratively with Traditional Owners, industry stakeholders, and Government agencies to co-design policies that are both effective and culturally respectful.
• Extensive experience working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984, including managing emergency applications involving politically contentious issues and tight timeframes. Amelia works well under pressure, providing reliable support to colleagues and external stakeholders, while maintaining a strong understanding of regulatory compliance and relevant legal frameworks. Additionally, Amelia is adept at handling media communications related to these sensitive matters.
• Experience in Commercial Law within Federal Government departments. Amelia knows how to navigate commercial agreements to deliver robust policy and program outcomes. She is well-versed in the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
• Reviewing and implementing commercial agreements to commit funds under the Australian Government’s response to the Black Summer bushfire season. This also included providing critical legal briefings to the relevant Ministers, to ensure bushfire recovery programs were delivered in compliance with legislative obligations and community expectations.
• Leading the Government’s response to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) inquiry into Class Action Proceedings. Amelia facilitated consultation and progressed policy and legislative amendments to implement key recommendations from the ALRC. In addition, she prepared media releases, talking points, and briefings for the Minister on contentious legislative reform issues.