1. Master of Laws (First Class), University of Cambridge, 2020
2. Bachelor of Laws (University Medal, First Class), University of Queensland, 2016
3. Bachelor of Arts, University of Queensland, 2016

1. Leading Administrative Law and Public Law Barristers, Queensland, 2024

Constitutional law:

High Court

1. Duties of excise/s 90: Vanderstock v State of Victoria (2023) 98 ALJR 208; [2023] HCA 30 (led by Stephen Donaghue KC, David Thomas SC and Celia Winnett) – acted for the Commonwealth, successfully intervening in proceedings declaring the Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based Charge Act 2021 (Vic) invalid as a “duty of excise” within s 90 of the Constitution.
2. Ch III limits on detention: CZA19 v Minister for Immigration & Anor and DBD24 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs [2025] HCA 8 (led by Stephen Donaghue KC and Patrick Knowles SC) – acted for the Minister in successfully resisting a claim that detention during visa processing contravenes a Ch III limit where there is no reasonable prospect of ultimate removal
3. Legislative interference with judicial power: Pearson v Commonwealth of Australia (2023) 99 ALJR 110; [2024] HCA 46 (led by Craig Lenehan SC and Zelie Heger SC) – acted for the Commonwealth in a claim relating to legislation that was enacted to overcome the effect of a prior Court decision and a purported interference with both pending and concluded exercises of judicial power.
4. Legislative interference with judicial power: C & D v Commonwealth of Australia (A2/2025) (led by Stephen Donaghue KC and Madeleine Salinger) – ongoing

Intermediate appellate courts

1. Legislative interference with judicial power: JZQQ v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (2023) 300 FCR 370; [2023] FCAFC 168 (led by Craig Lenehan SC) – successfully acting for the Minister in a claim relating to a purported legislative interference with judicial power and other administrative law grounds.
2. Statutory construction and limits on detention: Secretary, Department of Home Affairs v CRS20 [2025] FCAFC 3, and at first instance in [2024] FCA 619 (led by Patrick Knowles SC) – acted for the Minister in a proceeding raising a complex question of statutory construction under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) and application of the NZYQ limit.

Administrative law:

1. Appellate: Ogawa v Australian Information Commissioner [2025] FCAFC 37 (unled) – acted for the successful Finance Minister in resisting an appeal from a decision of the Federal Court in relation to recusal
2. Judicial review: Burns & Anor v Chief of the Defence Force [2024] FCA 781 (led by Scott McLeod KC) – acted for the Chief of the Defence Force in judicial review of administrative termination of three RAAF firefighters.
3. Statutory construction: Child Support Registrar v CMU23 [2024] FCA 109 (led by Scott McLeod KC) – Acted for the Registrar in relation to an appeal from the AAT on a complex question of statutory construction.
4. Judicial review: Rewami v Australian Information Commissioner [2024] FCA 1156 (unled) – acted for the Commissioner in responding to judicial review of decisions in relation to a privacy complaint.
5. Judicial review: Brooks v Operator, National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (led by Scott McLeod KC) [2024] FCA 725 – acted for the Operator in the first judicial review application brought in respect of the Redress Scheme.
6. Judicial review: TCXM v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (NSD 255/25) (led by Patrick Knowles SC and Bora Kaplan) – (judgment reserved) acted for the Minister in responding to the first challenge to a decision under s 76AAA and arrangements with the Republic of Nauru for removal of members of the NZYQ cohort.

General commercial:

1. Inspector-General in Bankruptcy v Harnett & Anor [2025] FCA 11 (led by Julianne Jacques KC) – successfully acted in the first ever application brought by the Inspector-General to set aside a Pt X personal insolvency agreement as unreasonable and not in the interests of creditors.
2. Cook v Alderson & Anor [2025] QSC 26 (unled) – acted for the defendants to a constructive trust claim relating to significant improvements to residential property.
3. Angus v Polites & Firgaira Property Pty Ltd [2024] QCAT 600 (unled) – acted for the successful defendant and counter-claimant responding to a $750,000 claim for breach of commercial tenancy agreement and under the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (Qld).
4. Australian Golf Management Corporation v Logan City Council (BS 5779/19) (led by Damian Clothier KC, Stewart Webster KC and Emma Hoiberg) – Acted for the Council in responding to a high value trespass and breach of statutory duty claim relating to the installation of a sewerage pipeline through a golf course.
5. Lan Keperra Pty Ltd v Frasers Property Keperra (BS2118/23) (led by Gareth Beacham KC and Stewart Webster) – Acted for Frasers in a commercial contract dispute as to whether Frasers had utilised “best endeavours” to achieve a planning outcome.
6. Americold Australian Holdings Pty Ltd v Lago Cold Stores Ltd (NSD 363/2023) (led by Stewart Webster) – Acted for Lago Cold Stores in a commercial contract dispute relating to the condition of cold storage racking sold pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement.
7. In the Matter of IG Power (Callide) Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (ACN 082 413 885) (led by John McKenna KC) – Acted for the Honourable Michael de Brenni MP, the Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, responding to a summons to give evidence at a public examination.
8. Graham v MacNamara Group Pty Ltd (BS 1190/24) (unled) – acted for the defendant to a claim for a constructive trust relating to significant improvements to residential property.
9. Confidential expert determination (led by Nuala Simpson and Jayleigh Sargent) for the head landlord against a prospective tenant in relation to a high value construction project in New South Wales

Advice work:

Michael has advised corporate and government clients in diverse fields including bankruptcy and insolvency, general commercial, contract, equity and trusts (including charitable trusts), native title and statutory construction.