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• ALERA Unfair Dismissal Masterclass: Session 3

  • When
    24 Jul 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom

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  ALERA, in conjunction with State and Territory societies, is excited to share the details for the third of four National professional development lunchtime masterclasses on Unfair Dismissal. These webinars are free for all industrial relations society members.

  We invite you to join us for the third session in July, presented by Vice Present Gibian on “The lifecycle of an unfair dismissal claim: Process, remedies, and appeals”.

  The session hosted by IRSNSW will include a live Q&A, providing an opportunity for members to engage directly with the Vice President.

  When: Thursday, 24 July 2025

  Where: Zoom Webinar (Online)

  Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM (AEST)

  Cost: Complimentary for all IRS members nationally

   

  Presenter: Vice President Mark Gibian

  
  

  
  

  Vice President Mark Gibian has been serving as the Vice President of the Fair Work Commission since his appointment in June 2024. Prior to this role, he was a barrister at HB Higgins Chambers in Sydney, commencing his practice in 2002 and being appointed Senior Counsel in 2018. Throughout his career at the bar, Vice President Gibian appeared in a range of significant cases, including successfully representing the TWU in challenging Qantas’ decision to outsource ground handling operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, securing pay rises of up to 28.5% for the HSU in the aged care work value case, and winning the insertion of a minimum wage floor in the Horticulture Award with the AWU. 
  

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• Advocacy Skills Series 2: Ethics and Etiquette at the FWC

  • When
    30 Jul 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM - 6:15 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom

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  IRSV's 2025 Advocacy Skills Series 

  Ethics and Etiquette at the FWC

  The Fair Work Commission's new and expanded jurisdictions mean that there is more appearance work at the Commission for our members. The complexity of that appearance work will vary, and will be a daunting task for many of us.

  Do you need to freshen up on the basics of an appearance, or do you need to extend your appearance skills to make the biggest impact?

  Most critically: Are you in a position to appear in a way that best assists the Commission to discharge its task according to its statutory mandate - fairly, quickly, efficiently, and in a way that promotes harmonious and cooperative workplace relations? 

  This seminar aims to equip you with ideas and methods in which you can do so. 

  Chris O'Grady KC and Franceska Leoncio have agreed to share their expertise on how to appear at the Commission from start to end, and to share their guidance on how to do it ethically and in a way that best assists the Commission. Former Commissioner Nick Wilson will then share his insights on the topic - gained from more than 12 years on the bench, observing advocates before him.

  The seminar will be held online via Zoom (link to be provided).

  The seminar is free for IRSV Members (join or renew today: www.irsv.asn.au/join).

  
  

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• The State of Industrial Relations in 2025: Discussion with Jaclyn Symes MP

  • When
    27 Aug 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Law Institute of Victoria, Level 13, 140 William Street, Melbourne
  • Spaces left
    55

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  The Industrial Relations Society of Victoria and the Law Institute of Victoria warmly invite you to this year’s Women in Industrial Relations Event. All are welcome! 

  The Industrial Relations and Employment Law (IR/ER) community have experienced myriad of changes over the past few years with significant reforms to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). As part of some of these reforms, their full impact are yet to be seen.

  This year’s keynote speaker is the recently appointed Treasurer of Victoria and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Honourable Jaclyn Symes MP. This event will commence with an address by Minister Symes, and then followed by an opportunity for attendees to share their reflections on the state of IR/ER in 2025. As part of this event, Minister Symes would love to hear from the audience directly about:

  • The big issues affecting the IR/ER sphere in Victoria, with a focus on those impacting women;
  • the audience’s experience with recent legislative changes, including what reforms they see are/are not working and what further changes are required; and
  • What can the Victorian State Government do or what changes should it advocate for with its Federal counterpart.

  There will also be a networking opportunity with canapés and drinks provided prior to and following the discussion which will start at 6:30 pm sharp. 

  About Jaclyn Symes MP

  
  

  After finishing year 12 and growing up in Benalla, Jaclyn moved to Melbourne in 1997 to undertake a Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University and was admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer in 2006. During her early career, Jaclyn worked as carer for people with intellectual disabilities. This experience made her acutely aware of the struggles that those with a disability experience daily and the importance of the Government putting in place the right policies to address their challenges. Following her time as a carer, Jaclyn was drawn to the union movement and took up a role with the Australian Services Union as an Industrial Officer. 

  To make a real difference, Jaclyn realised that she would need to influence policy. This led her to a role as an Advisor to the former Bracks/Brumby Labor Government working for the then Deputy Premier and Attorney General Rob Hulls. Following a change in Government in 2010, Jaclyn became Senior Legal and Justice Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Andrews. At the November 2014 election, Jaclyn was elected to Parliament as a Member for Northern Victoria. After her re-election in the 2018 Victorian State Election, Jaclyn was appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Resources and Deputy Leader of the Legislative Council. In 2019, Jaclyn became the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. Until 2024, Jaclyn was the Attorney General and Minister for Emergency Services before a change in portfolios led her to become the Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Regional Development. She remains the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. 

  Jaclyn is passionate about social justice and hard work. She values ensuring equity, access to justice and believes in an individual’s opportunity to have a “fair go”. Jaclyn believes that good representation involves advocacy, action, activism, and accountability and she is passionate about building the strength of the Northern Victorian region, making positive changes for the residents in its many towns. Jaclyn is committed to supporting major projects, creating jobs for the future, and building stronger regional communities. 

  Ministries 

  • Treasurer since December 2024
  • Minister for Industrial Relations since December 2024 
  • Minister for Regional Development since December 2024 

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• Appellate Advocacy at the FWC and Springtime Member Catchup Drinks with the Industrial Bar Association

  • When
    18 Sep 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    RACV City Club, Club Pavillion (Level 2), 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne
  • Spaces left
    196

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  IRSV's 2025 Advocacy Skills Series 

  Appellate Advocacy at the FWC

  & Springtime member catchup drinks with the Industrial Bar Association 

  
  

  Speakers: the Hon Dr Iain Ross AO and Leigh Howard

  Location: RACV City Club, Club Pavillion, Level 2, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne

  Time: 18 September 2025, 5:00 pm (for a 5:15 pm lecture start) to 8:00 pm

  Price: $35 for members ($200 for non-members)

  Drinks and canapes will be served for after the seminar. Further information on the seminar will be provided to members closer to the date.
  

  

  
  

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• ALERA National Conference, Brisbane

  • Start
    9 Oct 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    11 Oct 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    The Star, Brisbane

   

  ALERA is excited to announce registrations are open for the 2025 National Conference.

  When: Thursday 9^th to Saturday 11^th October

  Where: The Star, Brisbane
  

  
  

  Join your IR colleagues in Brisbane for a standout line-up of leading voices in industrial relations, ready to share their expertise, fresh perspectives, and the latest developments shaping the field. Expect engaging discussions, interactive sessions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with professionals and leaders from across the sector.

  View the list of speakers here and program here

  Link for speakers https://aleraconference.com.au/speakers/

  Link for program https://aleraconference.com.au/program/

  Link to register now https://aleraconference.com.au/registration/

  
  

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