Tony Rutherford
Chairperson

Tony is a highly regarded and trusted adviser who is a specialist in construction, operations, services and development documentation, and dispute resolution for major infrastructure projects. Tony advises on large and complex infrastructure transactions and disputes across a wide range of sectors, including education, health, power (including renewables), social and affordable housing, water, mining, oil and gas, roads and telecommunications.

Tony’s experience includes advising the Government of Victoria on the suspension and unwinding of the East West Link PPP, Healthscope on the Northern Beaches Hospital PPP, a key subcontractor in relation to the New Footscray Hospital PPP, Hutchinson Builders on the University of Tasmania Student Accommodation PPP, a key contractor in relation to the Victorian Public Housing Renewal Program, NAB on the Victorian Schools and ACT Courts PPPs, Telstra in relation to the rollout of the NBN, and a range of renewable energy contractors and developers on solar and wind projects in Australia and Africa.

In addition to his infrastructure expertise, Tony has been influenced by his lived experience of disability and being the father of his youngest son, Connor, who suffered an acquired brain injury at the age of one. Tony was one of the earliest advisors in relation to the development, financing and operation of Specialist Disability Accommodation since the inception of the NDIS. His practice includes advising financiers, property developers, community housing providers and disability service providers (including start-ups) in relation to the development and operation of Specialist Disability Accommodation projects, meeting the core requirements of the choice and control (including conflict of interest) requirements, demand risk issues, collaboration agreements and AFL / Head Lease arrangements, combined with the changing regulatory and policy landscape under the NDIS.