Chris practises primarily in revenue law, with a focus on indirect taxes including GST and stamp duty.  Chris has a substantial advice practice and has appeared on behalf of taxpayers and the Commonwealth in numerous disputes in Federal and State jurisdictions, including as Counsel for the taxpayer in the first GST case to be heard by the High Court.

Chris is the author of the blog “All about GST in Australia” which provides a comprehensive resource on all matters relating to GST, including court decisions (in Australia and overseas), legislative developments and rulings by the ATO.

Chris left the Bar for a little over three years (returning in 2011) to head the Melbourne Tax Controversy Group at PricewaterhouseCoopers and to lead a national focus on indirect tax controversy matters.  During that time, he acted on behalf of clients in a wide range of taxation disputes, ranging from risk reviews and audits to litigation.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Chris was a solicitor in the Tax Group at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now Allens).

*Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation

Areas of Practice

Cases

• Salser and Commissioner of Taxation [2018] AATA 1311
• The Optical Superstore Pty Ltd & Ors v Commissioner of State Revenue [2018] VCAT 169
• Travelex Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation
• Decleah Investments Pty Ltd and Anor as Trustee for the PRS Unit Trust and Commissioner of Taxation [2017] AATA 2418
• Morgan and Commissioner of Taxation [2017] AATA 811
• DLMD and Commissioner of Taxation [2017] AATA 739
• Victorian Farmers Federation v Commissioner of State Revenue [2017] VCAT 19
• Paul J Castan & Son Pty Ltd ATF Castan Investments Unit Trust and Commissioner of Taxation [2016] AATA 298
• Rio Tinto Services Limited v Commissioner of Taxation [2015] FCAFC 117
• Parliamentary Trustee of the Parliamentary Contribution Superannuation Fund v Commissioner of Taxation (2013) 305 ALR 397 (Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia)
• Commissioner of Taxation v Qantas Airways Ltd [2012] HCA 41
• Noza Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (2010) 273 ALR 621
• Commissioner of Taxation v Reliance Carpet Co Pty Limited [2008] HCA 22