Melinda practises in public and commercial law. Since coming to the Bar, Melinda has advised and appeared primarily in judicial review applications, constitutional law matters, and class actions involving public law torts.

Before coming to the Bar, Melinda was Counsel Assisting the Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth, Dr Stephen Donaghue KC. She was previously a Senior Lawyer at the Australian Government Solicitor where she practised primarily in administrative law, native title and constitutional law. Prior to that, Melinda worked in human rights and refugee law in the not-for-profit sector. Melinda has also taught administrative law and constitutional law at Monash University.

Melinda read with Frances Gordon KC and her senior mentor is Rowena Orr KC (now Justice Orr).

Selected cases are listed below:

• Hornsby Shire Council v Commonwealth [2023] HCA 19: Constitutional law – terms and conditions attaching to grants – taxation on State property – led by Stephen Donaghue KC, Solicitor-General for the Commonwealth, Graeme Hill SC and Anna Lord

• Galuak v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2024] FCAFC 146: Constitutional and migration law – judicial power – citizenship revocation – led by Craig Lenehan SC

• Friends of the Gelorup Corridor v Minister for the Environment and Water [2023] FCAFC 139: Environmental law – Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) – offsets and precautionary principle – led by Emrys Nekvapil SC

• Australian Electoral Commission v Craig Kelly [2023] FCA 854: Electoral and constitutional law – implied freedom of political communication – led by Zelie Heger SC

• Kapeli v Secretary, Department of Home Affairs (No 2) [2024] FCA 1246: Administrative and constitutional law – habeas corpus – principles in Love v Commonwealth – led by Julia Watson, with Luke Chircop

• Harkness v Banks (No 2) [2024] VSC 709: Administrative and constitutional law – review of prosecution discretion – led by Frances Gordon KC and Shawn Rajanayagam, as amici curaie

• Brett Cattle Company v Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (Federal Court, ongoing): Class action – misfeasance in public office – led by Fiona McLeod SC and Zoe Maud SC

• Knox v Commonwealth of Australia (Federal Court, ongoing): Appeal from class action settlement – led by Richard Knowles SC, Rob Craig SC and Daniel Habashy

• Ho v Minister for Health [2024] FCA 657: Administrative law – National Health Act 1953 (Cth) – unled

* Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation

Areas of Practice

Cases