Practice Areas

Matt conducts a general practice, with a particular interest in:

Notable Cases

Some notable (published) cases in which Matt has appeared are:

Calanca v The Queensland Parole Board [2017] 1 Qd R 1

Supreme Court of Queensland - judicial review. Matt appeared for the applicant; Mr Woodford of counsel appeared for the respondent. The Court allowed the application, ruling that when a Parole Board refuses an application for parole it must consider giving an indication of the improvements or activities that would be of benefit in reducing the risks posed to the community by the prisoner.


SZOXP v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2015) 231 FCR 1

Full Court of the Federal Court - appeal against Federal Circuit Court judgment. Matt appeared for the appellant; Mr Johnson SC with Mr Bickford of counsel appeared for the respondent. The Court allowed the appeal, ruling that a de facto relationship under the Migration Act 1958 did not require that the parties physically reside in the same premises.


Szajna v Australian Postal Corporation (2014) 226 FCR 1

Federal Court - appeal against AAT decision. Matt appeared for the appellant, led by Mr Keim SC; Mr Johnson SC with Mr Gregory Johnson of counsel appeared for the respondent. The Court allowed the appeal, ruling that the Tribunal erred by concluding that an inevitable consequence of a disease could not amount to an "injury (other than a disease)" for the purposes of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

WAQ v Di Pino [2012] QCA 283


Court of Appeal - appeal against District Court judgment. Matt appeared for the respondent; Ms Heyworth-Smith with Ms Blattman of counsel appeared for the appellant. The Court dismissed the appeal, ruling that it should not depart from the rule that where exemplary damages are appropriate they should be awarded "if, but only if" the compensatory damages are inadequate to punish the defendant.

Other Cases

Some other (published) cases in which Matt has appeared are: