About Sunny

Sunny is a Partner in Maddocks' specialist probity practice and is recognised for his expertise in Commonwealth procurement, grants, design competitions and other competitive processes. With more than 14 years' experience advising and working within the Australian Government, he provides strategic probity, procurement and contracting advice to Commonwealth entities across some of their most significant and complex projects. Sunny advises on the legislative, policy and governance frameworks underpinning public sector decision-making, helping agencies design and deliver defensible, transparent and value for money outcomes. He is regularly engaged to advise on or conduct independent reviews of high-profile procurements and grants programs, particularly where agencies are managing complex risks, competing stakeholders demands or heightened public scrutiny.

Before joining Maddocks, Sunny held senior legal and commercial roles within the Australian Public Service and regularly advised and delivered in-house training on procurement and contracting, and managed sensitive and complex government decision-making processes. This firsthand experience gives Sunny a deep understanding of the operational, governance and accountability challenges faced by senior government decision-makers.

Clients value Sunny's ability to combine specialist probity expertise with practical commercial judgement. As part of one of Australia's only dedicated legal probity teams, he works alongside agencies to navigate risk, maintain integrity and confidence in decision-making, and ensure procurements and grants processes stand up to scrutiny. Known for his collaborative and approachable style, Sunny provides clear, pragmatic advice that helps clients achieve their objectives efficiently while meeting their legal, policy and ethical obligations. 

Experience

• Probity

  Extensive experience acting as probity adviser including:

  • Australian Financial Security Authority (ICT infrastructure and application procurements including the replacement of the Personal Property Securities Register),
  • Department of Defence (various estate and infrastructure projects)
  • Geoscience Australia (Southern Positioning Augmentation Network Project),
  • Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Macquarie Island modernisation, Davis Aerodrome Project, Antarctic Infrastructure Renewal Program)
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Overseas Property Office construction tenders), and
  • Australian Public Service Commission (consultancy and outsourced external IT service provider procurements).
• Panel Establishment
  • Advised on arrangements between the Commonwealth Department of Employment and outsourced employment services providers in respect of a range of purchasing activities implemented as part of the Australian Government’s national employment services program.
• Grants
  • Advised on arrangements between the Commonwealth Department of Employment and outsourced employment services providers in respect of a range of purchasing activities implemented as part of the Australian Government’s national employment services program.
• Freedom of Information (FOI)
  • Provided Commonwealth agencies with advice and assistance on the processing of FOI requests, including undertaking or responding to third party consultation processes, and advising on exemptions and conditional exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
• Audits and Complaints
  • Assisted Commonwealth agencies investigate and respond to complaints made under the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 1982, as well as undertake audits following detection of instances of potential non-compliance with probity protocols.