Keynote Addresses

View a video of keynote presentations here including Dr Tom Calma, The Hon Michael Kirby AM CMG, Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott, The Hon Kevin Andrews, Senator Rachel Siewert and Tim Goodwin.

Keynote Address: Dr Tom Calma

Ministerial Address: The Hon Jenny Macklin (Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs)

Families with Multiple and Complex Needs: Creating and Sustaining Effective Services, Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott, University of South Australia

Keynote Address, The significance of Prevention: The Hon Kevin Andrews (Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and HUman Services)

Research Presentations

May do, should do, can do: Collaboration between Commonwealth and State Service Systems for Vulnerable Children - Dr Gail Winkworth (Australian Catholic University) and Michael White (MW Group Consulting)

Collaboration to enhance child protection: Common Approach to Assessment, Referral and Support (CAARS) and other strategies to identify and respond to needs earlier - Dr Lance Emerson (ARACY)

The Child Support Reform Study: Some early pre-and post- reform comparisons - Professor Bryan Rodgers (Australian National University)

Reforming the Law on Family Violence: Directions for Family Dispute Resolution - Hilary Astor (NSW Law Reform Commissioner)

Panel Presentations

Diversity and Law - Future Directions      Convenor: Alan Hayes

Chief Justice Diana Bryant (Family Court of Australia),  Professor Richard Chisholm AM (University of Sydney), Rodney Croome (Australian Marriage Equality): speech & factsheet, Federal Magistrate Joe Harman (Federal Magistrates Court), Joumanah El Matrah (Islamic Women's Welfare Council of Victoria)

Listening to Families - Leading Advocates with Messages for Service Providers      Convenor: Sam Page

Dr Gail Winkworth (Institute of Child Protection Studies): presentation, Vern Hughes (National Federation of Parents, Families and Carers), Tony Trimmingham (Family Drug Support), Malyun Ahmed (Diversity Issues Unit, Department of Justice): presentation, Terese Edwards (National Council of Single Mothers and their Children): presentation 

Dinner Speech

Benjamin Law, author of 'The Family Law' 

Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent Session 1 (Wed 3 Nov 3.30pm - 5.30pm)

• Families in all their diversity
• Organisational Journeys - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competency
• Partnerships at work
• Responding to the Diverse Needs of Children and Young People
• Understanding Family Violence across Contexts and Culture
• Inclusive Practice in Family Dispute Resolution

Concurrent Session 2 (Thurs 4 Nov 2.00pm - 3.30pm)

• Contemporary Issues
• Enhancing Family Safety
• Engaging Dads
• Child Inclusive PracticeFRCs and Legal Services Working Together
• Workshop: Contemporary Families

Concurrent Session 3 (Thurs 4 Nov 4.00pm - 5.30pm)

• Embedding Cultural Competence in Organisations
• Developing Practice in Counselling & Therapy 
• Safety & Wellbeing of Children Post-Separation
• Technology Innovations in Service Delivery
• Cultural Comptency in Post Separation Services
• Men & Violence

Concurrent Session 4 (Fri 5 Nov 9:00am - 10:30am)

• Embracing Diversity to Strengthen Families
• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Family Dispute Resolution with Couples in High Conflict
• Family Violence - Trauma Recovery
• Working with Dads
• Workshop: Traditional Wisdom