Foley's List Barrister
Barrister Information
Profile
Suganya has a broad practice in public and commercial law. She regularly appears on behalf of both government and private clients.
Since coming to the Bar, she has appeared in the Supreme, County and Magistrates’ Courts, as well as in the Federal Court and the FCFCOA. She has also appeared in various royal commissions, inquiries, inquests and planning panels.
She has a particular interest in matters involving the use of expert witnesses and technical evidence.
Suganya also often appears in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), including in the Planning and Environment Division, the Review and Regulation List, and the Human Rights Division.
Some of Suganya’s recent cases are listed at the Extended Biography tab above.
Suganya commenced her career at Herbert Geer (now Thomson Geer) where she was a commercial litigator for five years. She has also been a Principal Solicitor at the Environment Protection Authority and at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Suganya recently completed her Master of Public & International Law at the University of Melbourne, with a First Class Honours average mark. She also has Bachelor degrees in Law (with Honours) and Science (majoring in Mathematics & Statistics) from the same university.
Suganya read with Georgina Costello KC and her senior mentor is Claire Harris SC.
Extended Biography
Nonferral Recycling Pty Ltd v EPA [2023] VSC 292
Application for declaratory relief as to validity of clean up notices issued under the Environment Protection Act 1970 — led by Tom Howard SC, for the Defendant
Daemen v Kingston CC [2023] VCAT 802 (18 July 2023)
Application for planning permit where threshold distance not met and objectors raised amenity (odour) issues — unled, for referral authority
Successful merits review of character cancellation decision — unled, for the Applicant
Bayside Residents for Council Accountability Inc v Bayside CC [2022] VCAT 606
Application for declarations under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 — unled, for the Applicant
AAN17 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2021] FCA 1541
Judicial review of migration decision — instructed by VLA for the Applicant
Crib Point Project Inquiry (EES) [2021] PPV 11 (22 February 2021)
Environment Effects Act Inquiry and Advisory Committee and Panel considering a proposed gas import jetty facility at Crib Point and gas transmission pipeline — with Jane Sharp, Robert Forrester and Sean McArdle, instructed by Environmental Justice Australia on behalf of 3 environmental groups who successfully opposed the project
Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Standing Advisory Committee - Referral No 2 (AC) [2022] PPV 41
Acted for a party in DALSAC hearings concerning the Bellarine Peninsula Statement of Planning Policy
Fire Rescue Commissioner v Building Appeals Board & Ors [2021] VSC 217
Judicial review of decision of Building Appeals Board — led by Georgina Costello KC, for the Fire Rescue Commissioner
Advanced Composting Technology Australasia Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority [2021] VCAT 448
Merits review of decision to refuse works approval for composting facility processing medium and high risk organic wastes — unled, for the EPA
South Gippsland Region Water Corporation v Environment Protection Authority [2020] VCAT 931
Preliminary hearing on a question of law regarding EPA powers to issue pollution abatement notices — unled, for the EPA
Renex Op Co Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority [2020] VCAT 782
Application for summary dismissal of a third-party review application under the Environment Protection Act 1970, heard together with application for declarations — unled, for the EPA
Matuschka v Glenelg SC [2020] VCAT 1452
Proceedings reviewing the grant of a Council planning permit and an EPA works approval — unled, for the EPA
Re LB [2020] VSC 232 (30 April 2020)
Major review of a custodial supervision order under the Crimes (Mental Impairment & Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 — unled, for the Secretary to the Department of Health and Human Services
Australian Education City v Victorian Planning Authority [2020] VSC 177
Judicial review proceeding — led by Georgina Costello KC and with Adam McBeth, for the Plaintiff
Millar v Ropeload Pty Ltd [2020] FCA 725
Misleading and deceptive conduct under the Corporations Act and ASIC Act — led by Michael Wyles KC, for the Applicant
DKT16 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2019] FCAFC 208
Appeal from a migration decision of the Federal Circuit Court — unled, for the Appellant
Re HP (No 2) [2019] VSC 768
Review of a non-custodial supervision order under the Crimes (Mental Impairment & Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 — unled, for the Secretary to the Department of Health and Human Services
Inquiries, Inquests and Royal Commissions
St Basil’s Inquest (2021) — led by Mary Anne Hartley KC (and with others) on behalf of the Victorian Department of Health
COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry (2020) — led by Claire Harris SC (and with others) for the Department of Health and Human Services
Federal Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability — led by Claire Harris SC as part of a counsel team for the State of Victoria
State Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System — led by Claire Harris SC as part of a counsel team for the State of Victoria
Other matters
Representing both applicants and respondents in discrimination / equal opportunity matters in the Victorian and federal jurisdictions, including where issues arise under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006
Regulatory prosecution / defence under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Environment Protection Act 2017
Admitted
13 Apr 2010
Bar
02 May 2019
The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister's clerk have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.
Areas of Expertise
Commercial Law 4 Areas
- Contractual Disputes
- Competition Law & Consumer Law
- Insurance Law & Professional Negligence Law
- Class Actions
Appellate
Public Law & Administrative Law 10 Areas
- Freedom of Information (FOI)
- Judicial Review
- Disciplinary Proceedings
- Information Privacy
- Industry Regulations
- Health & Medical
- Constitutional Law
- Discrimination & Equal Opportunity
- Merits Review
- Compliance & Investigations
Inquests, Inquiries, Tribunals & Commissions 4 Areas
- Royal Commissions
- Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
- Coronial Inquests
- Disciplinary Tribunals
Industrial Relations Law & Employment Law 2 Areas
- Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)
- Discrimination