Melia Benn

T: (07) 4031 0617

M: 0439 430 296

E: mbenn@endeavourchambers.com.au

Melia was called to the bar in 2018. Having previously practiced as a lawyer with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Counsel Assisting the Northern Coroner prior to joining the private bar, Melia’s practice initially comprised of criminal law and coronial inquests.

Melia has since broadened her practice, now her practice consists of class action proceedings, discrimination, native title and personal injuries whilst continuing to have a large Inquest practice.  

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Past Papers

Cases of Interest:

  • Counsel Assisting State Coroner Ryan, hearing in 2026, Inquest into the death of Aubrey Donahue. Death in custody – Police shooting after prolonged siege in Mareeba.  

  • AFL Disciplinary Tribunal, Member, April 2026 – allegations against Lance Collard, St Kilda. 

  • Badari v Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing [2025] HCA 47 (led by Matthew Albert) – acting for the applicants, appeal allowed.

  • Badari v Minister for Housing and Homelands [2025] HCA 48 (led by Matthew Albert) – acting for the applicants, special leave granted.

  • Counsel Assisting State Coroner Ryan, hearing in 2025, Inquest into the death of Bradley Smith. Death in police operations – road traffic collision and child safety.

  • Counsel Assisting for the Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry Queensland in 2024.

  • Inquest into the death of Bridie Gilligan, hearing in 2024, Death in Care - acting for Disability Support worker. 

  • Counsel Assisting State Coroner Ryan, hearing in 2024, Inquest into the death of Milton George.  Death in custody – Mr George died in custody at the Kowanyama Watchhouse. 

  • Counsel Assisting Far Northern Coroner Wilson, hearings in 2021 and 2022, Inquest into the death of Allison Bernard. Missing Person– cold case missing person, murder trial set for late 2026. 

  • Counsel Assisting State Coroner Ryan, hearing in 2021, Inquest into the deaths of Troy James Mathieson and Hughie Kirk Douglas Morton.  Deaths in custody – two men drowned after entering a flooded Townsville culvert to avoid police detention during extreme weather.

  • R v Dowling [2021] QCA 129 – led by Joshua Trevino KC (now District Court Judge Trevino KC).

  • R v MDD [2020] QCA 235 – led by Joshua Trevino KC (now District Court Judge Trevino KC).

  • Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v District Council of Kimba (No 2) [2020] FCAFC 39 (13 March 2020) – pro bono, led by Dan O'Gorman SC.

  • R v Sprott; Ex parte Attorney-General (Qld) [2019] QCA 116 – led by Frank Richards.

  • JPP24 & Ors v State of Western Australia WAD330/2024 (Class Action – ongoing).

  • Jamie Lee Hassen & Ors v State of New South Wales (Class Action – ongoing).

  • McDonald v Commonwealth of Australia [2025] FCA 380 (Stolen Wages NT).

  • Mervyn Street v State of Western Australia [2024] FCA 1368 (Stolen Wages WA).

  • Pearson v State of Queensland (No 2) [2020] FCA 619 (Stolen Wages Qld).

  • Junior Counsel Assisting Northern Coroner Wilson, hearing in 2018,  Inquest into the death of Kerri Pike, Peter Dawson and Tobias Turner - skydiving multiple fatality – led by Melinda Zerner (now Coroner Zerner).

Awards:

  • Outstanding Indigenous Alumni Award 2023 from James Cook University. Recognising Melia’s outstanding contribution to the legal profession.

  • Australian Lawyers Alliance’s Queensland Civil Justice Award 2021. Recognising Melia’s outstanding commitment to the pursuit of justice.

Professional Memberships:

  • Australian Lawyers Alliance

  • Bar Association of Queensland

    • Indigenous Affairs Committee 2020 - present

  • Human Rights Law Association

  • Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland

Practice Areas:

  • Appellate Advocacy

  • Class Actions

  • Native Title

  • Personal Injuries

  • Discrimination Law

  • Inquests

  • Regulatory Prosecutions

Year of Call:

  • 2018