EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
Ben has managed national legal teams in the public and private sectors and has expertise in:
- Administrative law & decision-making – Ben provides advice on a range of administrative law, human rights and discrimination matters, provides decision-making and internal review support, and represents his clients in merits review, judicial review and appeal proceedings before the Administrative Review Tribunal (including as solicitor-advocate), Federal Court and High Court.
- Compensation & damages claims – Including via the Comcover program, third-party recoveries, and asbestos-related disease claims involving the Commonwealth or the ACT Government.
- Corporate & commercial – Ben provides advice and assistance in governance, general contract, general insurance and debt recovery matters.
- Information & disclosure – Including under privacy, secrecy, freedom of information and public interest disclosure laws.
- Legislation & drafting – Ben has drafted numerous, complex legislative instruments in the areas of compensation, migration and citizenship, and digital ID. He has managed reform to several Commonwealth Acts and the enactment of new Commonwealth laws. He is regularly seconded or engaged by Commonwealth agencies for his knowledge of legislative processes and drafting skills.
- Legislative, administrative & discretionary schemes – Including Comcare, Seacare, military compensation, veterans’ entitlements, Fair Entitlements Guarantee and Commonwealth superannuation schemes, National Disability Insurance Scheme, COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme, Scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration (CDDA), ex gratia and act of grace.
- Work health & safety – Including model WHS laws and OHS(MI) Act. Ben is trusted adviser to several agencies and is regularly invited to give WHS presentations to his clients.
- Workplace – Including code of conduct, review of actions, Fair Work Act 2009 (rights, entitlements, compliance and enforcement) and Comcare scheme (licensing arrangements, and rehabilitation and suitable employment duties).
In his various roles, Ben has worked closely with government and private employers, insurers, claims mangers, regulators, policy-makers and legislators. He is regularly seconded to Australian Government departments to provide litigation, legislation, and program advice, and to work on legislation projects.
He has run, defended, and advised in relation to compensation claims in most Australian jurisdictions, various civil and administrative tribunals, the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal, the Administrative Review Tribunal, Federal Court, and High Court.
Having been a Senior Executive Lawyer and Assistant Secretary in the Australian Public Service, Ben has hands-on experience with Australian Government departments and agencies, advisers and stakeholders, Parliamentary processes, the Commonwealth resource management framework, the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, the Legal Services Directions and the Commonwealth’s obligation to act as a model litigant.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Ben has advised private and government clients in relation to a number significant matters arising under Commonwealth compensation schemes, including the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988, the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 and the Fair Entitlements Guarantee Act 2012.
He has also assisted in the establishment of several Commonwealth schemes including the Australian Government Digital ID Scheme, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988, the Parliamentary Injury Compensation Scheme and the COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme.
RECOGNITION
Awards
Ranked in the peer reviewed Best Lawyers® in Australia for:
- Government Practice 2026
- Insurance Law 2026
Publication and Papers
Ben authored the ACT Legal Handbook chapter on ACT Government and Commonwealth Workers Compensation (Comcare Scheme). The ACT Legal Handbook is the product of a partnership between Legal Aid ACT and the Australasian Legal Information Institute.
Academic Appointments
Ben is invited to give regular guest lectures on Administrative Law at the University of Technology, Sydney.