Industrial Relations Society Victoria upcoming events

Voices of IR 2026 - Reconciliation in IR (4 Aug 2026)

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

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.

Trauma Informed Approaches to Resolving Workplace Issues (13 Aug 2026)

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Professional development event for VPS HR & IR Practitioners
The Industrial Relations Society of Victoria (IRSV) invites VPS HR and Industrial Relations practitioners to join an engaging panel discussion exploring trauma informed approaches to resolving workplace issues.

Workplace issues involving misconduct, performance, investigations and complaints can have a lasting impact on everyone involved. As expectations around psychologically safe workplaces continue to evolve, HR and IR professionals are increasingly expected to balance legal obligations, procedural fairness and organisational outcomes with their obligation to manage processes in a psychologically safe and trauma informed way.

This professional development event brings together senior leaders from Industrial Relations Victoria, the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office (VGSO) to discuss how trauma informed approaches can support safer, fairer and more effective workplace resolutions across the Victorian Public Service (VPS).

Whether you work in employee relations, industrial relations, HR, workplace investigations or people leadership, this event will provide practical insights from experts who shape policy, represent employees and advise government employers on complex workplace matters.

Event Details
Date: Thursday 13 August 2026
Time: 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm (AEST)
Venue: Treasury Theatre, Lower Plaza, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Ticket Price: $10 (includes networking with canapés and drinks following the discussion)

Panel

Matt O’Connor
Deputy Secretary, Industrial Relations Victoria

Matt O’Connor was appointed Deputy Secretary of Industrial Relations Victoria in April 2015 and has worked within the Victorian Government since 2003.

Matt has led the development of significant workplace legislative reforms across Victoria, including labour hire licensing, long service leave, child employment, wage theft and, more recently, reforms relating to the gig economy.

He has overseen the Victorian Government’s participation in significant Fair Work Commission proceedings, advocating for increases to the National Minimum Wage and modern award rates, the introduction of paid family and domestic violence leave, and minimum wage protections within the horticulture sector. Matt has also represented the Victorian Government during consultations with the Commonwealth on major amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009.

In addition, Matt has played a central role in shaping the Victorian Government’s public sector industrial relations strategy, including the development of enduring flexible working arrangements and the ongoing review of the Victorian Public Sector Wages Policy.

Jiselle Hanna
Victorian Branch Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU)

Jiselle Hanna is the Victorian Branch Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and has been a passionate trade unionist for more than 25 years.

She has worked with Corrections Victoria over the past decade and has extensive experience advocating for workers across the Victorian Public Sector. Earlier in her career, Jiselle worked in the community legal sector with a focus on poverty law, providing legal assistance and advocacy for vulnerable members of the community.

Jiselle brings a unique employee and union perspective to workplace relations, with a strong commitment to fairness, dignity and respectful workplaces.

Laura Myer
Managing Principal Solicitor, Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office

Laura Myer specialises in employment law and industrial relations, with particular expertise in complex and high-profile workplace litigation.

Before joining the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, Laura worked in leading international commercial law firms across employment, industrial relations, competition and consumer law, intellectual property and regulatory litigation. She has advised and represented both major corporate organisations and Victorian Government clients.

Laura has appeared in the Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, Federal Circuit and Family Court, County Court, Magistrates’ Court and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. She previously worked as an Associate to the Fair Work Commission and as a Freedom of Information Officer at the Department of Justice. Laura also maintains a strong commitment to pro bono work through Justice Connect and the Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court Self Representation Service.

Dana Wintermantel
Lead Counsel, Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office

Dana Wintermantel is Lead Counsel at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office and has more than 20 years’ experience advising employers on workplace relations and employment law.

Dana provides strategic advice across a broad range of employment matters, including enterprise agreement interpretation, Fair Work Act compliance, performance management, misconduct, workplace investigations, industrial disputes and termination of employment.

She has extensive experience representing clients in unfair dismissal, general protections, discrimination and disability discrimination matters before the Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, Federal Circuit Court, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

Dana’s experience spans both private practice and government, including roles with the Department of Education and Training before joining the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office.

Why Attend?
This event is designed specifically for VPS HR and Industrial Relations practitioners seeking practical insights into one of the most important and evolving areas of workplace relations.

You’ll hear perspectives from:

Government policy and industrial relations leadership
The union movement
Government employment law specialists

Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how trauma informed approaches can support better workplace outcomes while balancing legal obligations, procedural fairness and effective people management.

Following the panel discussion, join fellow HR and IR professionals for networking over drinks and canapés.

We look forward to welcoming you to another IRSV professional development event.

ALERA 2026 Discrimination Webinar Series - “Disability at Work: Reasonable Adjustments, Inherent Requirements, and Risk-Reducing Practice” (19 Aug 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association (ALERA), together with its State and Territory societies including the IRSV, is pleased to present the third of four national professional development masterclasses on discrimination.

“Disability at Work: Reasonable Adjustments, Inherent Requirements, and Risk-Reducing Practice”

Nikki A-Khavari of Higgins Chambers will draw on recent and leading case law to examine the legal and practical requirements for making reasonable adjustments for workers with disability. The session will also explore how employers can minimise discrimination risk and lawfully rely on key statutory exceptions, including inherent or genuine occupational requirements, unjustifiable hardship, and measures reasonably necessary to protect workplace health and safety.

The webinar will be moderated by Dr Ben French, President IRSQ.

This webinar will feature a live Q&A, giving members the chance to engage directly with leading experts in industrial relations.

When: Wednesday 19 August 2026

Where: Zoom Online Webinar

⏰ Time: 12 – 1pm AEST

Cost: Complimentary for all IRS members nationally

Cost: Non-members $40.00

Secure your spot today!

Women in Industrial Relations in 2026 (26 Aug 2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:30:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered what leading women are doing in IR and ER in 2026?

The Industrial Relations Society of Victoria invites members and guests to its annual Women in Industrial Relations event.

This year’s event will spotlight senior female figures from industrial relations and policy to explore themes of leadership, reform and professional influence in the IR and ER space.

Keynote Address & Panel

Join us for an engaging and insightful evening with Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Anna Cody, providing the keynote address, followed by a panel discussion.

Joining Commissioner Cody on the panel will be:

Imogen Sturni (Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union)
Siobhan Kelly SC (Barrister)
Dani Salinger (Head of Workplace Relations & Senior Legal Counsel, Virgin Australia)

The panel will be hosted by a member of the IRSV committee.

Join colleagues from across the profession for an insightful discussion, followed by refreshments and networking.

Event details

Wednesday, 26 August 2026

Registrations from 5.30pm, event commencing at 6.00pm

Le Méridien Hotel Melbourne, 20 Bourke St, Melbourne

Tickets

$25 – IRSV members

$60 – Non-members

About the keynote speaker

Dr Anna Cody

Sex Discrimination Commissioner

Dr Cody started as Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner in September 2023.

Before this, Dr Cody had a distinguished career as an academic, as a lawyer specialising in discrimination and as a passionate advocate for human rights. Her work over the years has included substantial advocacy to various United Nations human rights committees when they have reviewed Australia’s and other nations’ fulfilment of their human rights obligations.

Most recently she was the Dean of the School of Law and Professor at Western Sydney University for 4.5 years, leading education and research impact within the School to better reflect the diversity of the community and the intersection of law and justice.

We hope you can join us!