Tony Raunic

Tony Raunic is one of Victoria’s most experienced legal advisers to local government, with more than 30 years in practice and over two decades advising councils on governance, statutory compliance and high-risk decision-making.

A former councillor and mayor, Tony brings rare, first-hand insight into the realities of elected office, political accountability and public-sector governance. He understands how council decisions are made, scrutinised and challenged — not just legally, but publicly. This lived experience underpins his reputation as a trusted adviser to councillors, CEOs and senior executives across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

Tony currently advises more than 40 Victorian councils and statutory authorities on governance, property, commercial and integrity matters. He is regularly engaged on politically sensitive and operationally complex issues, including councillor conduct, probity, delegated authority, contested procurement and statutory interpretation under the Local Government Act 2020 (Vic).

As Managing Principal of Hunt & Hunt Victoria, Tony retains full oversight of all council work, ensuring consistency, quality and strategic alignment across engagements.

Areas of Focus

• Local government and public law
• Governance, statutory interpretation and delegated authority
• Councillor conduct, integrity and complaints
• Probity and contested procurement
• Property, Crown land and statutory acquisitions
• Training and governance development for councillors and executives

Tony’s Clients & Work

Tony advises for more than 40 of the municipalities in Victoria providing advice on specific commercial, property and governance matters.  He brings the benefit of his own experience as an elected councillor having served two terms on the Shire of Nillumbik as Mayor and Councillor. He has also served on not-for-profit boards in the financial services and health sectors.

Tony often conducts both intensive training sessions for new councillors and follow up refresher sessions for both metropolitan and regional Councils.

In 2023/24, Tony conducted training of councillors at Central Goldfields, Corangamite, Gannawarra, Hobsons Bay, Horsham, Loddon, Manningham, Mildura, Moyne, Murrindindi, Northern Grampians, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Yarriambiack and Yarra Councils.

In 2024/25, Tony conducted training for councillors and prospective councillors at Ararat, Bayside, Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Gannawarra, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Geelong, Hindmarsh, Kingston, Loddon, Merri-Bek, Moyne, Swan Hill, Southern Grampians, Yarriambiack and Whittlesea Councils.

So far in 2025/26, Tony has conducted training for councillors and/or council staff at Bayside, Bendigo, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Glen Eira, Greater Geelong, Greater Shepparton, Hindmarsh, Loddon, Melton, Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip, Swan Hill, Wyndham and Yarra Councils.

Tony has also conducted numerous training sessions for council staff including in relation to specific legal areas and also more general probity and conflict of interest issues. Tony regularly serves as probity adviser in relation to key individual council procurement. He is also available for mentoring arrangements for Mayors, Councillors and senior council staff.

Book Tony as a Keynote Speaker

Tony regularly appears as an expert panellist/guest speaker including being a key presenter in:

• VLGA Learn@Lunch – How to get the most out of your Audit and Risk Committee (October 2025)
• Local Government Lawyers Annual Conference (August 2025)
• VLGA Fastrack (May 2025)
• VLGA Mayoral/Deputy Mayoral Training Day (December 2024)
• VLGA Governance Advisory Network – Local Government Reform Consultation Paper (August 2024)
• LGPro Webinar – Unpacking the Culture Reforms (May 2024)
• LGPro Annual Conference Panel on Culture Reform Legislation (April 2024)
• VLGA Fastrack Leadership Panel (March 2024)
• VLGA Governance Advisory Network – Local Government Reforms Session (Feb 24)
• LGPro Local Government Reforms 2024 webinar (Feb 24)
• VLGA Governance Advisory Network Meeting (Sept 23)
• VLGA Connect Operation Sandon Special Edition (July 23)
• LGPro CEO/Director Forum (July 2023)
• LGPro Social Media Conference presenter (October 2022)
• VLGA Connect The Governance Update podcast – regular guest presenter
• Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Australia (September 2022)
• LGPro Executive Leadership Program (XLP) – Governance Module (June 2022)
• VLGA – Land Use Planning for Councillors (June 2022)
• Law Institute of Victoria Leadership in Law Roundtable (May 2022)
• LGPro Roundtable – Addressing the Skills Shortage (May 2022)
• VLGA Councillor FastTrack Program (April 2022)
• Hunt & Hunt Future Leaders Day (March 2022)
• Interlaw: Real Estate in Recovery – The New Normal in Supply & Demand (Feb 2022)
• Thomson Reuters: Rise of the Relationship Driven Law Firm (Oct 2021)
• TVEd – Mind the Gap: Beyond the Disclosure Obligations in Residential Property Purchases (Oct 2021)
• VLGA Election of a Mayor – More than just a title (Sept 2021)
• LGPro Procurement Special Interest Group (June 2021)
• Macquarie Bank Law (20)24 event (May 2021)
• VLGA – Election related integrity discussion (Sept 2020)
• VLGA – Election Regulations for Council Elections (July 2020)
• Self Storage Association of Australasia Annual Conferences (2019 and 2023)

Experience & Authority

Local Government Governance & Compliance
Tony provides ongoing governance advice to more than 40 councils, assisting with statutory obligations, policy implementation, delegations, council decision-making and risk management. He is frequently retained on high-profile or sensitive matters requiring defensible governance processes and clear statutory interpretation.

Councillor Conduct, Integrity & Complaints
Tony advises on councillor conduct issues, integrity complaints and governance disputes, including matters involving IBAC referrals, Ombudsman reviews and statutory investigations. His advice is informed by both legal expertise and his experience as an elected councillor.

Probity & Procurement Advisory
Tony regularly acts as probity adviser on major council procurement processes, including construction, technology systems and complex service contracts. His work includes developing probity frameworks, training evaluation panels, managing market engagement risk and advising on complaint defensibility.

Property & Statutory Land Matters
Tony has extensive experience advising councils and government authorities on property acquisitions, disposals, leasing and development, including Crown land and statutory processes. He has acted in property transfers, leasing arrangements and disputes across Victoria.

Training & Sector Leadership
Tony designs and delivers intensive governance training programs for councillors and executives, including new councillor induction and refresher sessions. He has delivered training to councillors at more than 70 metropolitan and regional councils across Victoria.

Thought Leadership & Professional Roles

• Contributing Editor and Chapter Author, Local Government Service – Victoria (Thomson Reuters)
• Victorian Representative, Editorial Panel – National Local Government Reporter (LexisNexis)
• Regular presenter and panellist for VLGA, LGPro, the Law Institute of Victoria and national forums