Voices of IR 2026 - Reconciliation in IR

Voices of IR 2026 

Reconciliation in IR

Webinar - Tuesday 4 August 2026 - 5 PM - 6 PM (AEST)

60 years since the Aboriginal Stockmen's Case and while disadvantage for First Nations employment remains a challenge, the 2025 gender undervaluation case shows a pathway for change.

Proudly presenting our third webinar for 2026 - part of a dynamic year-long professional development program.

Free for IRSV members and members or interstate ALERA affiliates, Reconciliation in IR, is a thought-provoking event marking 60 years since the landmark Aboriginal Stockmen's Case - a defining moment in Australia's industrial and social history.  More recently in another landmark case, gender-based undervaluation principles have been used to correct low pay for First Nations women health workers 

We’ll reflect on the legacy of these pivotal cases and explore their impact on workers' rights and equality, and examine how they continue to shape the journey towards reconciliation in industrial relations today.

Welcoming panellists Professor Nareen Young of UTS Business School, Jumbunna Institute and the Fair Work Commission’s DP Alex Grayson.

Join us online on Tuesday 4 August 2026, from 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm AEST, via Zoom. Book online at www.irsv.asn.au/ 

Registration details will be provided on sign-up. 

This webinar is free for IRSV members. Join or renew today to secure your place (www.irsv.asn.au/join). 

About the speakers 

Deputy President Alexandra Grayson was appointed to the Fair Work Commission in July 2023. Prior to her appointment, she was a lawyer for approximately 17 years. Her last roles before appointment to the Commission were as a Principal Lawyer running Maurice Blackburn’s employment and industrial law division in NSW and as an independent director and Chair of the Operations Committee of multibillion-dollar superannuation fund Hostplus for almost a decade.

She was also a proud member of the Executive Committee of the Women Lawyers Association of NSW and the Employment Law Committee of the Law Society of NSW for many years prior to her appointment. Her experience also includes having been a Senior Associate at W G McNally Jones Staff, a National Industrial Officer at the Finance Sector Union and Tipstaff to Justice Staff at the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales. She has run significant Fair Work Commission cases including her significant involvement in gender-based undervaluation matters (concerning reviews of priority modern awards).

She has run cases in most courts including the High Court of Australia, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of NSW, the Federal Court of Australia, District and Local Courts and the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW. These matters have involved discrimination matters, sexual harassment, awards, enterprise agreements, industrial action, minimum wages, equal remuneration, dismissals and bullying.

Professor Nareen Young is Associate Dean, Indigenous Engagement and Leadership, Business School, University of Technology Sydney, Professor Indigenous Policy (Indigenous Workforce Diversity) at UTS Jumbunna Institute of Indigenous Education and Research and Director of the UTS Jumbunna/UTS Business School Centre for Indigenous People and Work.

As one of Australia’s most respected workplace diversity practitioners and thought leaders, Professor Young is responsible for introducing many valuable concepts to Australian diversity practice over the years, for which her leadership has been acknowledged with many awards and accolades.

Bringing her First Nations and culturally diverse heritages to all her work, Professor Young continues to hold governance and advisory positions in the community, government and corporate spheres.