Conference Agenda
16 September
Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Conference Agenda | 16 September 2026
8:30
Registration and Arrival Coffee
8:45
Welcome Address
8:50
Opening Address: The Three Employment Law Shifts HR Cannot Ignore
Each city’s chair opens the day by unpacking the key employment law developments; emerging workplace risks and practical priorities HR leaders need to prepare for over the next 12 months.
Brisbane: Meghan De-Pinto Smith, Senior Associate, McKay’s Solicitors
Melbourne: David Dilger, Director & Co-founder, Edge Legal
Sydney: Erin Lynch, Partner, Gadens
9:05
Fireside Chat: Employment Law in 2026. What Has Changed & What Comes Next
A candid discussion on the most significant employment law developments, enforcement trends, and organisational risks shaping 2026.
• Hear the latest Fair Work and legislative updates
• Understand where organisations are getting caught out
• Gain practical guidance on reducing legal exposure
Brisbane:
Moderator: Meghan De-Pinto Smith, Senior Associate, McKay’s Solicitors
Nicholas Lake, Deputy President, Fair Work Commission
Melbourne:
Moderator: David Dilger, Director & Co-founder, Edge Legal
Nicholas Wilson, Former Commissioner, Fair Work Commission
Sydney:
Moderator: Erin Lynch, Partner, Gadens
Alana Matherson, Commissioner, Fair Work Commission
9:50
Interactive Scenario: Trauma Informed Investigations – Protecting People & Reducing Legal Risk
A practical session exploring how to conduct legally defensible investigations while supporting employee wellbeing.
• Understand how trauma impacts investigations
• Learn practical investigation frameworks
• Reduce legal and reputational risk
Brisbane: Laura Hillman, Special Counsel, Clayton Utz
Melbourne: James Daff, Senior Associate, Clayton Utz
Sydney: Cynthia Elachi, Partner, Clayton Utz
10:35
Morning Tea
10:55
Interactive Scenario: Digital Work Systems & Workplace Surveillance – The Next WHS Frontier
As digital work systems and workplace surveillance technologies become more embedded in everyday operations, organisations are facing new and evolving work health and safety (WHS) risks.
Through interactive scenarios and real-world examples, this session explores how monitoring tools, AI-enabled systems, and data-driven performance tracking are reshaping risk, responsibility, and worker wellbeing.
Brisbane: Gemma Sharp, Special Counsel, Cooper Grace Ward
Melbourne: Dale McQualter, Partner, Maddocks
Sydney: Olivia Hillier, Partner, Employment Safety and People, Maddocks
11:40
Interactive Scenario: Social Media & Employee Conduct - Top Risks & Practical Tips for Employers
This session explores the most common issues arising in workplaces today, including employee misconduct, freedom of expression, workplace investigations, policy gaps, and reputational risk. Delegates will gain practical tips on managing social media issues confidently, reducing legal exposure, and ensuring workplace policies remain fit for purpose in 2026.
Brisbane: Louise Hogg, Partner, Holding Redlich
Sydney: Clare Kerley, Partner, Hall & Wilcox
Melbourne: Piers Mitchem, Special Counsel, Hall & Wilcox
12:25
Networking Lunch
1:05
Table Discussion
1:10
Streamed Keynote: Gender Equality Targets & Employer Accountability
An overview of Australia’s evolving workplace gender equality obligations and employer accountability measures.
• Understand new gender equality reporting obligations
• Learn where regulatory focus is shifting
• Explore practical compliance strategies
Dr Samone McCurdy, Executive Manager - Insights and Capability, Workplace Gender Equality Agency
1:40
Intro to Breakout Sessions
1:45
Breakout Sessions
Breakout A: Managing AI-driven Employee Complaints
Brisbane: Shannon Chapman, Partner, Lander & Rogers
Melbourne: Emma Purdue, Partner, Lander & Rogers
Sydney: Wendy Fauvel, Partner, Lander & Rogers
Breakout B: Getting the Employment Contract Right
Brisbane: Rose Dimitrious, Partner, Thomsons
Sydney: Alana Rafters, Senior Associate, Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors
Melbourne: Rebecca Spiliopoulos, Associate, Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors
2:30
Afternoon Tea
2:50
Panel: National Employment Standards Changes: What’s Coming & What HR Must Do Now
The National Employment Standards have undergone significant reform. This panel focuses on the practical implications for HR, including contracts, policies, and day to day processes. Walk away with clarity on what needs updating, where organisations are exposed, and how to implement changes efficiently.
• Understand key NES reforms and obligations
• Identify areas of organisational risk
• Learn what policies and processes need updating
Sydney: Jennifer Moran, Managing Associate, Dentons
Michael Starkey, Senior Associate, Baker McKenzie
Kathryn Dent, Partner, HWLE Lawyers
Melbourne: Adam Lambert, Principal Solicitor, KHQ Lawyers
Diana Diaz, Partner, Gadens
Peter Watkins, Senior Associate, Dentons
Brisbane: Jill Hignett, Managing Partner, HR Law
Andrew Rich, Partner, Gadens
Wyatt Cook-Revell, Senior Associate, Jones Day
3:35
Interactive Scenario: The Flexibility Tension Performance, Culture & the Right to Request
Delegates work through a realistic flexible work request scenario involving performance concerns, team equity, and operational requirements. Facilitated discussion explores legally compliant responses and practical decision-making frameworks. Compare approaches across tables and learn how organisations are balancing flexibility with accountability.
• Understand legal obligations around flexibility requests
• Learn practical decision-making frameworks
• Balance flexibility with accountability and culture
Brisbane: Tamara Lutvey, Partner Ashurst
Melbourne: Peter McNulty, Partner Ashurst
Alicia Crossley, Senior Associate, Ashurst
Sydney: Julie Mills, Partner, Ashurst