Synergy Law
Supporting Government to become 'future ready', partnering with clients to achieve legally defensible outcomes.
By leaning into complex and challenging issues, we can find options and solutions to support legally defensible outcomes and provide confidence for the commonwealth.
Synergy Law is a Synergy Group integrated legal offering, specialising in Government law and legal advisory services. Synergy Law as a capability, and an added service line, enables Synergy Group to provide clients integrated end to end advisory services and solutions which are legally assured and defensible. Synergy Law also provides Synergy Group the additional capability to look at ways to ‘lean into’ future legal issues such as: cyber security, ICT and infrastructure security, emerging energy resources, climate law, supply chain management, data sharing and information law, to support Government operations becoming ‘future ready’.
Synergy Law not only provides an integrated legal service but added depth of experience through having worked in, and for, Government on complex legal, policy and program matters. We know our market, we know our clients, we understand what you need. We will lean in, work beside you, and help you achieve your outcomes.
Meet the team
From start to finish we listen and seek to understand and deliver impact, together, in partnership.
How we think
With views on what matter and knowledge to share. We pride ourselves in collaborating. Get to know us better.
Insight
New OAIC Directions signal a new direction in FOI reviews
In May 2024, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) released new Information Commissioner (IC) Review Procedure Directions aimed at Commonwealth Government agencies. The IC Direction will require agencies to more actively engage with FOI applicants – and prove that they undertook searches for documents. Taking effect in July 2024, the new IC Directions are part of the OAIC’s commitment to ‘delivering a timely IC review process, informed by the principles of informality, responsiveness and proportionality’.
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Insight
Are ACCUs one big green Monopoly game?
The Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme is a little bit like the game, Monopoly – and specifically the Go Green edition. How? The ACCUs are the Australian ‘policy version’ of the ‘greening game,’ with financial incentives to buy green technologies and initiatives – and disincentives for polluters, with the goal of cleaning up the planet. With ACCUs, Australian businesses receive credits for projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions. This requires projects to meet and follow integrity criteria to ensure that issued ACCUs indeed do avoid or decrease emissions. That’s the official rulebook, but the reality of how the game is played can be a bit different...
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Insight
“It doesn’t have to be this way” (Adversarial practices in procurement and contracting)
Why are procurement and contracting practices adversarial? And more pressingly – Should Commonwealth procurement practices be adversarial? This is a question that has dogged me for longer than I care to remember, particularly as the answer appears to be a resounding ‘yes.’
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Insight
“What ‘Small Print’?” (Yes, it’s in the EULA!)
Has a software provider ever handed you a EULA and you didn’t know what to make of it? And no, EULAs aren’t medical devices or quantum physics particles. While End User License Agreements (EULAs) can appear to be as inscrutable as quantum physics, they don’t have to be.
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Insight
"That Time of Year" - Simple strategies that go a long way to getting procurement deals 'done'
Having been and worked with Government Procurement Officers (GPOs) who leave their procurements to the very last minute, I understand the stress that comes with the end-of-financial-year and as Christmas shutdown approaches. Having lived through 5+ complex procurements that all had to be completed in 2-month periods (and less), I’ve also made my fair share of EOFY and New Year’s resolutions that start with the words “… Never again…” But then “never happens” again. And again. And not completing procurements on time can lead to very serious financial and legal implications for GPOs and the organisations they represent. As a ‘survivor,’ I can offer some simple strategies that can potentially go a long way to making “never again” a reality.
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Insight
Why sustainable contract management makes for smart business
In the realm of business operations, sustainability has become a buzzword that is often associated with environmental initiatives and corporate responsibility. While reducing waste, conserving resources, and reducing carbon footprints are undeniably crucial aspects of sustainability, there is one underrated area where this ethos can truly shine – contract management.
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