Queensland Law Society
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Government Lawyers Conference

Friday 13 September 2019 | Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Join us for the key professional development conference in the Queensland calendar for legal professionals in the government, policy and administrative spheres. Relevant to everyone in federal, state or local jurisdictions, or in-house with government owned corporations and universities. Hear from, leading experts and connect with fellow practitioners from a range of government departments over drinks after the event.

7 CPD points
Practical Legal Ethics
Practice Management & Business Skills
Professional Skills
Substantive Law
Member
$675 Earlybird
$845 Standard
Non-member
$1100 Standard


Government employee discount

Employees of Government departments are eligible for the members pricing. To register for the discount, please email events@qls.com.au.

Group discount

Register four people from the same organisation and the fourth person is registered at 50% of the standard price. Email the QLS events team at events@qls.com.au to secure your group discount.

Earlybird closes 16 August

Registration closes 10 September

Register now

Program

8am

Registration

8.20am

Welcome remarks

Presenter:
Matt Dunn, General Manager, Policy, Public Affairs and Governance, Government Relations, Queensland Law Society

8.30am

Keynote address

Presenter:
The Honourable Yvette D’Ath MP, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
Chair:
Andrew Harris , Executive Director, Business and Corporate Services, Office of Industrial Relations, Department of Education and Chair, Queensland Law Society Government Lawyers Committee

8.45am

Human rights for government lawyers

With the operative obligations and dispute resolution function of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) due to commence in January 2020 this session is a must for all lawyers working in the public sector. This session will equip you with practical understanding of this legislation and assist you to ensure the public functions you advise on are exercised in a principled way that is compatible with human rights. Join esteemed presenter, the Queensland Human Rights Commissioner for guidance on these important developments.

Presenter:
Scott McDougall, Commissioner, Queensland Human Rights Commission
Chair:
Jill Petrie, Director, Legal Services Coordination Unit, DJAG and member, Queensland Law Society Government Lawyers Committee

9.45am

Morning tea

10.05am

What’s new in administrative law?

Hear from our expert presenter regarding significant decisions relevant to commonwealth, state and local government jurisdictions, with a focus on their impact on your day-to to-day practice.

Presenter:
Barry Dunphy, Partner, Clayton Utz
Chair:
Connie Seeto, General Counsel, The University of Queensland and member, Queensland Law Society Government Lawyers Committee

10.50am

Native title compensation

Griffiths v Northern Territory [2019] HCA 7 (Timber Creek), marks the first decision of the High Court regarding the assessment for compensation provisions in Part 2 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (the NTA). This important decision will likely have implications for those who currently have compensation liabilities as well as those seeking to obtain native title consent for future dealings.

Presenter:
Marita Stinton, Special Counsel, Native Title Claims and Agreements, Crown Law
Chair:
Andrew Harris, Executive Director, Business and Corporate Services, Office of Industrial Relations, Department of Education and chair, Queensland Law Society Government Lawyers Committee

11.35am

Investigation to litigation

Legal units within government departments can be called upon to assist with, and advise on, a diverse array of processes in response to changing department requirements. As regulators this can include matters involving investigation, litigation and in some instances prosecution. Hear from Queensland’s First Work Health and Safety Prosecutor, for his insights on how government lawyers can best manage these processes, consistent with the Model Litigant Principles.

Presenter:
Aaron Guilfoyle, Work Health and Safety Prosecutor, Office of Industrial Relations
Chair:
Andrew Harris, Executive Director, Business and Corporate Services, Office of Industrial Relations, Department of Education and chair, Queensland Law Society Government Lawyers Committee

12.20pm

Lunch

1pm

Managing vicarious trauma in the workplace

This practical session will provide you with the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to promote a healthier workplace for yourself and your colleagues.

This session will equip you with an understanding of:

  • the impacts of vicarious trauma
  • how to identify the risk factors both for yourself and your colleagues
  • best practice approaches to managing vicarious trauma for individuals and organisations.
Presenter:
Dianne Gibson, Operations Manager (QLD/NT), Converge International; Registered Mental Health Social Worker and Accredited BeyondBlue facilitator
Chair:
Sheila Kushe, Head of Professional Development, Queensland Law Society

2pm

Competition law for the public sector

The extent to which the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) is applicable to government transactions can be complex to navigate. Legal issues including anti-competitive contracts, misuse of market power and exclusive dealing can have significant impacts on procurement processes. This session will guide you through some key provisions lawyers in the public sector need to be alive to , and equip you with a practical understanding of where these issues might commonly arise in your practice.

Presenter:
Eddie Scuderi, Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Chair:
Sian Ashford, Senior Lawyer, Fair Work Ombudsmen and member, Queensland Law Society Government Lawyers Committee

2.45pm

Afternoon tea

3.05pm

Digital transformations: More than meets the eye

The roll out of new digital systems presents a complex array of challenges and opportunities for the public sector. This session will prepare you to successfully manage the digital transformation process by examining in line with Queensland Government policy:

  • how to select a supplier and delivery approach
  • building and maintaining positive stakeholder relationships
  • designing effective data governance structures
  • managing information and data privacy considerations.
Presenters:
Vanessa Mellis, Special Counsel, MinterEllison
Jonathan Blackford, Principal, MinterEllsion Technology Consulting
Facilitator:
Phil Green, Privacy Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner

4.05pm

Blurred lines: Legal professional privilege for government lawyers

With government departments placing increasing reliance on their internal legal teams, and recent court decisions narrowing the application of privilege in general, a thorough understanding of legal professional privilege is essential for lawyers working in government practices. Be guided by our expert presenter from the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre on properly ensuring privilege attaches and is not lost in the course of your work.

Presenters:
Shane Budden, Ethics Solicitor, QLS Ethics and Practice Centre, Queensland Law Society
Chair:
Paula Freeleagus, Assistant Crown Solicitor, Crown Law and member, Queensland Law Society Government Lawyers Committee

5.05pm

Closing remarks

Presenters:
Matt Dunn, General Manager, Policy, Public Affairs and Governance, Government Relations, Queensland Law Society

5.10pm

Networking drinks

6pm

Close

Gold sponsor

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Silver sponsor

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Trade exhibitor 

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Contact QLS

179 Ann Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000

1300 367 757