LATEST NEWS

Dental Success: Beyond Chairside | 17 January 2026. A conversation about legal foundations for dental practices.

This update considers the practical steps providers needed to take ahead of the Support at Home reforms, following release of the final draft Aged Care Rules. It forms part of the continuing legal and operational work required to transition service agreements, pricing, systems and participant communications to the new regime. Read the original story: https://www.pmlawyers.com.au/blog/2025/08/aged-care-blog/support-at-home-preparing-for-the-1-november-commencement/

Doyle’s Guide | 7 August 2025. David McMullen was listed as a pre-eminent Western Australian health and aged care lawyer.

Panetta McGrath was again recognised as a leading Western Australian health and aged care law firm, with David McMullen named as a pre-eminent practitioner in the field. Read the original story: https://www.pmlawyers.com.au/blog/2025/08/latest-news-and-events/panetta-mcgrath-lawyers-listed-as-a-leading-health-and-aged-care-firm-in-the-2025-doyles-guide/

Panetta McGrath | 30 July 2025 David McMullen and Ryan Callanan outline the core duties of company directors and management committee members, including care and diligence, proper purpose, conflicts, solvency, and active oversight. The full article discusses the legal consequences of breaches and practical governance safeguards. Read the original article

David McMullen is listed by Best Lawyers for his work in health and aged care law in Perth. Read the original story: https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/david-mcmullen/383512

Panetta McGrath | 21 January 2025 David McMullen and Ryan Callanan outline practical steps for businesses responding to Australia’s privacy reforms: review the privacy policy, audit personal information, strengthen security, examine automated decision making and consider protections for children online. Read the original article

David McMullen and Ryan Callanan outline the new rights-based aged care framework and its practical implications for providers. The article addresses provider and responsible-person duties, registration, the Statement of Rights, funding reform, expanded regulatory oversight, Support at Home and transition planning. Read the original story: https://www.pmlawyers.com.au/blog/2024/12/aged-care-blog/aged-care-act-2024-an-overview-for-providers/

David McMullen and Ryan Hewitt examine a rare State Administrative Tribunal decision terminating a retirement village residence contract. The article considers serious objectionable behaviour, the statutory grounds for termination and the balance between an operator’s responsibilities and the protections afforded to residents. Read the original story: https://www.pmlawyers.com.au/blog/2024/12/aged-care-blog/rare-but-it-does-happen-terminating-a-retirement-village-residence-co

David McMullen and Ryan Callanan explain the proposed Support at Home program, including the classification and funding model, quarterly budgets, the service list, participant contributions, assistive technology, home modifications and new restorative and end-of-life care pathways. Read the original story: https://www.pmlawyers.com.au/blog/2024/12/aged-care-blog/aged-care-act-2024-the-support-at-home-program/

Panetta McGrath announced David McMullen’s appointment as Special Counsel in its health and aged care team, noting his commercial and property practice and particular experience in retirement villages, health and aged care. Read the original story: https://www.pmlawyers.com.au/blog/2018/08/latest-news-and-events/david-mcmullen-joins-our-team/

Panetta McGrath | 1 June 2023. Doyle’s Guide recognition for the firm and David McMullen’s health and aged care practice.

This case note examines Co-operation Housing and Tramsak [2022] WASAT 1, in which the State Administrative Tribunal permitted an operator to terminate a retirement village residence contract following persistent breaches. The decision illustrates both the strong protections for residents and the limited circumstances in which termination may be justified. Read the original story: https://www.pmlawyers.com.au/blog/2022/02/aged-care-blog/termination-of-a-retirement-village-resi

David McMullen’s article considers post-contractual restraint clauses for dentists working under service agreements. Panetta McGrath republished the Western Articulator article on 19 April 2021. Read the article and access the original PDF: https://www.pmlawyers.com.au/blog/2021/04/health-blog/restraints-and-non-compete-clauses-an-exercise-in-reasonableness/

This article by David McMullen appeared in the February 2020 Western Articulator. It considers patient privacy, advertising and consumer law issues for dental practices using online directories and booking platforms. Read the original article: https://www.pmlawyers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Panetta-McGrath-Lawyers-Online-Directors-and-Appointment-Booking-Platforms.pdf

David McMullen’s article in the November 2019 Western Articulator examines the legal framework for early release of superannuation to pay for dental treatment. This archive entry links to the original article. Read the original article: https://www.pmlawyers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Could-a-patients-super-pay-for-their-dental-treatment.pdf

Western Articulator | February 2019 David McMullen examines unfair contract terms in standard form agreements and why dental practice owners should review the terms they present and sign. The original issue identifies February 2019; the archive day is an ordering placeholder. Read the original article (PDF)

Western Articulator | November 2018 David McMullen’s article introduces company names, ACNs, ABNs and business name requirements for privately owned dental businesses. The original publication identifies the issue month; the day in this archive is used only to place the item in chronological order. Read the original article (PDF).

Western Articulator | October 2018 David McMullen’s article outlines points to review when a dental practice lease is renewed or replaced, including parties, rent reviews, maintenance, default and indemnities. The original issue identifies October 2018; the archive day is an ordering placeholder. Read the original article (PDF).