CLIMATE change and infrastructure advisory are two strengths keeping the Minter Ellison Lawyers’ Brisbane office busy at the moment, with a tax law focus on the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
Managing partner Ross Landsberg, says the office established a climate and sustainability practice a decade ago before it became ‘fashionable’, advising energy and resource companies on issues as they unfold.
“All of the major players recognised there were clearly going to be changes from a regulatory level, so we give them advice to help them understand the issues, influence debate and get their businesses in order,” he says.
“We are currently advising more than 10 large resource, energy and service companies on their obligations under the national greenhouse and energy reporting legislation – already law - and the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.”
Landsberg also highlights a significant role in the infrastructure and development sphere, with clients ranging from the Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) to the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA).
“We’re advising the Brisbane Airport Corporation with their $1 billion parallel runway, with the government in relation to the Eastern Busway and all the upgrades like the rail network, the revamp of the new Queensland Children’s Hospital, and recently we’ve acted in the sale of the Cairns and Mackay airports,” he says.
“We’re advising in the development of the RNA Showgrounds – it’s a $3 billion plus urban renewal, which will take 10 years to develop – a huge amount of infrastructure activity is required, it’s going to be quite spectacular.”
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