I bring a balanced, solutions-focused mindset – GST can be an enabler of transactions instead of serving as a roadblock.

I’m proud to have worked with many of my clients for more than 15 years. My experience ranges from appearing before the High Court to conducting site visits wearing gumboots and a hard hat – because understanding my clients’ business helps me provide the best service.

I have been recognised as a leading tax lawyer and customs and excise lawyer by Best Lawyers since 2010 and as a leading tax lawyer by Chambers Asia-Pacific since 2014. As a member of the Property Council of Australia’s GST Committee and the Law Council of Australia’s Tax Subcommittee, I am often asked to consult on prospective Australian Taxation Office positions, and have the opportunity to represent my clients’ views on policy issues before decisions are made.

Career highlights

• AMP – advised on the new Quay Quarter Sydney development in central Sydney
• Australian Unity – worked on its Herston Quarter development in Brisbane
• The University of Sydney – advised on its Queen Mary and Abercrombie student accommodation facilities, totalling more than 4,000 beds
• American Express – represented the company in its GST litigation before the Full Bench of the Federal Court of Australia and the High Court of Australia
• Aveo Group – helped with its acquisition of Freedom Aged Care’s retirement village operations
• Singapore Telecommunications Limited – advised the company on the sale of its coaxial cable assets to NBN Co Limited
• NSW Treasury – advised on the privatisation of Port Botany, Port Kembla and the Port of Newcastle
• Reserve Bank of Australia – counselled the bank on its operations and services to Commonwealth agencies
• Transport for NSW – worked with the authority to appoint a private operator for Sydney Ferries
• UrbanGrowth NSW – advised on the disposal of the South Western Sydney Portfolio

Education
BComm, LLB (Hons)

Professional Associations

• Law Council of Australia's Indirect Tax Liaison Committee, Member
• Property Council of Australia Tax Committee, GST Subcommittee, Member 

Seminars/ Presentation
Rhys has presented numerous seminars on GST and often appears in the print media to comment on significant developments in the GST law.

• Managing your GST and PAYG - getting it right before the ATO visits!
  Ensuring your management and compliance with GST and PAYG will minimise the risk of an unexpected ATO audit notification.
• GST's margin scheme continues to be muddied by the barter – or why the blancmange is an inferior dessert
  

  The decision of WYPF and FCT [2021] AATA 3050 (reported at 2021 WTB 36 [876]) and key issues that could have much broader implications beyond the property industry.

  
  
• High Court GST case impacting government entities
  

  The High Court's decision in Hornsby Shire Council v Commonwealth of Australia [2023] HCA 19 is a win for the Commonwealth and the States, but raises questions regarding their ability to enforce standard GST gross-up clauses.

• New Supplemental Annual GST Return to be lodged with the ATO
  

  Taxpayers in the Top 100 and 1,000 Justified Trust population now required to lodge Supplemental Annual GST Returns, in addition to existing GST compliance obligations.

• Redevelopment of Ivanhoe Estate at Macquarie Park
  

  MinterEllison advised NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) on $2.2 billion redevelopment of Ivanhoe Estate at Macquarie Park.

• Proposed budget reforms to GST
  

  Proposed government reforms to GST will change the way GST operates on the sale of new residential premises and subdivisions.

• New ATO position on Bundled Power Purchase Agreements
  

  The ATO's new GST position on Bundled Power Purchase Agreements represents risks and opportunities for Generators and Off-takers.