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Government, ATO, Councils & Investigations
Government, ATO, Councils & Investigations
Most people assume that when a government agency, the ATO, or a local council makes a decision, that decision is final. It is not. Administrative and regulatory processes have rules, and those rules exist to protect you. When an agency gets it wrong — or when the process itself is being used as a weapon — there is recourse, and we know how to use it.
ATO Audits & Tax DisputesAn ATO audit or compliance action is not a conversation — it is an investigation with serious consequences. Whether you are facing a position paper, an amended assessment, a Part IVC objection under the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (Cth), or a referral to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, early and informed engagement is critical. We act in ATO disputes, assist in preparing formal responses to compliance correspondence, and represent clients where the ATO's position needs to be challenged on its merits.
Freedom of InformationUnder the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) and the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth), you have a right to access documents held by government agencies — including documents about you, your business, or decisions that have affected you. We assist clients in making FOI applications, challenging refusals, and where necessary, pursuing review before the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner or the AAT.
Council & Local Government DisputesLocal councils exercise significant power over planning decisions, permit approvals, infringement notices, and enforcement actions — and they do not always exercise that power correctly. We act in disputes involving council decisions, VCAT planning reviews under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic), and matters where council conduct warrants formal challenge or complaint.
Administrative Disputes & Regulatory InvestigationsWhere a government body or regulatory authority has made a decision that affects your livelihood, your licence, your business, or your reputation, you are entitled to challenge it. Under the Administrative Law Act 1978 (Vic) and the broader framework of administrative law, decisions must be made lawfully, fairly, and within the decision-maker's actual authority.
Most people assume that when a government agency, the ATO, or a local council makes a decision, that decision is final. It is not. Administrative and regulatory processes have rules, and those rules exist to protect you. When an agency gets it wrong — or when the process itself is being used as a weapon — there is recourse, and we know how to use it.
ATO Audits & Tax DisputesAn ATO audit or compliance action is not a conversation — it is an investigation with serious consequences. Whether you are facing a position paper, an amended assessment, a Part IVC objection under the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (Cth), or a referral to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, early and informed engagement is critical. We act in ATO disputes, assist in preparing formal responses to compliance correspondence, and represent clients where the ATO's position needs to be challenged on its merits.
Freedom of InformationUnder the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) and the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth), you have a right to access documents held by government agencies — including documents about you, your business, or decisions that have affected you. We assist clients in making FOI applications, challenging refusals, and where necessary, pursuing review before the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner or the AAT.
Council & Local Government DisputesLocal councils exercise significant power over planning decisions, permit approvals, infringement notices, and enforcement actions — and they do not always exercise that power correctly. We act in disputes involving council decisions, VCAT planning reviews under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic), and matters where council conduct warrants formal challenge or complaint.
Administrative Disputes & Regulatory InvestigationsWhere a government body or regulatory authority has made a decision that affects your livelihood, your licence, your business, or your reputation, you are entitled to challenge it. Under the Administrative Law Act 1978 (Vic) and the broader framework of administrative law, decisions must be made lawfully, fairly, and within the decision-maker's actual authority.