Luke Grayson

Luke is an experienced administrative and commercial lawyer who has worked in both public and private practice. Prior to joining Crown Law, Luke worked in the private legal sector for six years, specialising in planning, environment and infrastructure matters for local government and private clients. While in private practice, Luke was recognised in Doyle’s Guide and Lawyers’ Weekly for his experience and expertise in planning and environment and government.

Luke joined Crown Law in 2019 and has worked in both the Administrative Law Team and the Commercial and Property Team. He is currently a Senior Principal Lawyer in Crown Law’s Administrative Law Team where he regularly advises Queensland Government agencies and statutory bodies in relation to judicial review proceedings, QCAT merits review proceedings, privacy and RTI issues, and advising on decision-making generally.

Luke’s administrative law experience includes:

• Acting in Supreme Court proceedings relating to applications for statutory orders of review or applications for review of decisions under the Judicial Review Act 1991, including acting in appeals to the Court of Appeal and High Court of Australia.
• Advising on the requirement to provide statements of reasons, including advising on whether a person is “aggrieved”, whether the decision is of an administrative character, and the matters to be addressed in a statement of reasons.
• Advising on right to information and information privacy matters.
• Advising on public interest disclosures.
• Acting in QCAT proceedings, including review applications, applications for a stay, privacy complaints, and appeals to the Appeal Tribunal.
• Acting in proceedings in the Court of Disputed Returns, including in relation to the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the outcome of the 2020 local government election.
• Advising on statutory interpretation, including in relation to delegations, the power to revoke decisions under s 24AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, and the appointment of GOC board members.
• Advising on government decision-making regarding a wide range of subject matter, including decisions on mining lease application, accreditation of non-State schools, funding applications under statutory and non-statutory schemes, licensing of tow truck operators and other transport authorities (including marine pilot licences), approval of guide dog trainers, and the financial provisioning for mining projects.
• Advising on the Human Rights Act 2019 for government decision-making and the interpretation of legislation.

• Acting in proceedings seeking review of the Chief Health Officer’s decisions to issue public health directions under s 362B of the Public Health Act 2005 for the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, including defending interlocutory appeals in the Court of Appeal and High Court of Australia.
• Advising on the land use and infrastructure planning arrangements for major developments, including the Palmview Structure Plan Area, Coomera Town Centre, Kawana Town Centre, Maroochydore City Centre, and the ‘West Village’ development in Brisbane’s West End.