DIGITAL PROGRAM
Government Law CPD Morning
THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER
Thank you for attending the ACT Law Society's 2024 Government Law CPD Morning
In keeping with the Law Society's committment to sustainability, papers relating to the workshop will be made available here for the benefit of registrants.
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The Law Society is grateful to the College of Law, event sponsor for the 2024 Government Law CPD Morning.
Conference Schedule
|
Time |
Session Title |
|
8:30am |
Registration opens |
|
8:55am |
Welcome and Introduction |
|
9:00am - 10:00am |
Working with Legislative Drafters |
|
10:00am – 10:15am |
Morning Tea |
|
10:15am - 11:15am |
Navigating the Intersection of International Law and Government Legal Work |
|
11:15am - 12:15pm |
From Briefcase to Cyberspace: cybersecurity considerations for government lawyers |
|
12:15pm - 1:15pm |
Lunch |
WORKING WITH LEGISLATIVE DRAFTERS
1 point in core area 4
The session will be a discussion between Bianca Kimber, Parliamentary Counsel, ACT Parliamentary Counsel’s office, and Meredith Leigh, First Parliamentary Counsel, Australian Government’s Office of Parliamentary Counsel. The discussion will touch on the drafting process, the roles of drafters and instructors and how to produce effective legislation.
BIANCA KIMBER
PARLIAMENTARY COUNSEL
ACT PARLIAMENTARY COUNSEL'S OFFICE
Bianca has been the Parliamentary Counsel for the ACT since 2021, having joined the ACT Parliamentary Counsel’s Office in 2007. Prior to that, Bianca worked at the ACT Government Solicitor’s Office for 6 years in commercial and property law, and in private practice in Canberra and Adelaide for a number of years in family law, criminal law and personal injury. Bianca has a strong commitment to supporting the rule of law through drafting and publishing laws that are accessible, fit for purpose and legally effective.
MEREDITH LEIGH
FIRST PARLIAMENTARY COUNSEL
OFFICE OF PARLIAMENTARY COUNSEL
Ms Leigh joined OPC in February 1998 and was appointed as First Parliamentary Counsel on 11 October 2021. Ms Leigh has over 25 years of drafting experience. She has worked extensively with all departments and many agencies, including in the areas of counter-terrorism legislation, electoral legislation, corporations law, education and tax. Ms Leigh is a member of the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee which is a committee representing the drafting offices in Australia and New Zealand. She is also an ex-officio member of the Board of Tax which is a non-statutory advisory body that provides the Government with real-time advice on tax policy issues by contributing a business and tax community perspective to improving the design and operation of taxation laws.
She was also a member of the inaugural Board of the Australian Government Legal Service (AGLS) during 2021 and 2022. The AGLS supports a whole-of-government, high quality, consistent and coordinated approach to the delivery of legal services and the management of legal risk across the Commonwealth. Before joining OPC, Ms Leigh worked for a short period as a corporate lawyer at Allen, Allen and Hemsley.
NAVIGATING THE INTERSECTION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND GOVERNMENT LEGAL WORK
1 point in core area 4
This session will explore the critical intersections between international law and government legal practice. We will start by unpacking what international law is, covering key areas such as human rights, trade and investment law, and general public international law. You'll gain insights into how international law integrates with domestic legislation, from its incorporation into domestic laws to its role in international dispute settlement processes.
Understanding when international law is relevant to your work as a government lawyer is essential. Whether drafting statements of compatibility with human rights, advising on new regulatory activities, or introducing new taxes or levies, knowing when and how international law applies is crucial.
Not sure where to start? We’ll also guide you on when to consult key resources such as the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), the Office of International Law (OIL), or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
DAVID MASON
PRINCIPAL
HARKWOOD LEGAL
David Mason graduated from the Australian National University with degrees in Law and Arts (Honours) in 1987. He has been an Associate to a Supreme Court Judge and was a Graduate entrant into the APS in 1995. David has been a Departmental Legislation Liaison officer, and for a decade from 2002, Counsel, International Law in the Department of Defence. David was Deputy Chief of Staff to a Minister for Defence and National Security Adviser to the Attorney-General, The Hon George Brandis.
David has deployed on operations eight times, was a French Foreign Legion paratrooper and is the first person to walk across Australia at its widest points. He is currently an Army Reserve Legal Officer and the Principal of his law firm, Hawkwood Legal, currently specialising in pro bono work with the RSL and veterans.
DR PENELOPE (PENE) MATHEW
PRESIDENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER
ACT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Dr Penelope (Pene) Mathew is the President and Human Rights Commissioner, ACT Human Rights Commission. Her career in academia has included positions at The University of Melbourne, The Australian National University, Michigan Law School, Griffith University and The University of Auckland. She served as Dean at both Griffith and Auckland universities. Previously, Pene served for two years as legal and policy advisor to the ACT Human Rights Commission, leading the work on an audit of the territory’s remand centres, among other matters. In 2008, the ACT government awarded her an International Women’s Day Award for outstanding contributions to human rights and social justice.
FROM BRIEFCASE TO CYBERSPACE: CYBERSECURITY CONSIDERATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT LAWYERS
1 point in core area 4
Cybersecurity impacts all areas of legal practice, and there are additional considerations for lawyers working in and with government. This session will provide a foundation of cybersecurity issues for government lawyers, an update on the latest developments in cybersecurity policy, legislation and case law in Australia, and practical guidance on how to deal with breaches at your agency directly or from your suppliers.
ANNIE HAGGAR
PARTNER
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT
Annie is a security and technology lawyer with 20 years of experience advising government and private sector clients in technology law, security risk, strategy and policy, procurement security considerations, global security regulation, and cybersecurity risk mitigation. Annie’s deep technical understanding of technology and cybersecurity issues was gained during her 12 years as legal counsel for one of the world’s largest technology companies, Accenture, including 6 years as global legal counsel for its global cybersecurity business. Annie has also spent 18 months on secondment advising a Commonwealth agency on its risk and legal strategy, mitigations and controls for managing security risk across the organisation including compliance with applicable laws, the PSPF, ISM and agency policies. Annie has been awarded the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards Sole Practitioner of the Year (2024), General Counsel of the Year (2021) awards, and Lawyers Weekly, Corporate Counsel Awards, Technology, Media and Telecommunications Lawyer of the Year award for her work in security and technology law.
AMANDA WESCOMBE
SPECIAL COUNSEL
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT
Amanda is a security and technology lawyer and a trusted advisor to government and private sector clients. She supports clients in identifying and mitigating commercial, legal, security and governance risks across all industries, and Commonwealth clients to comply with PSPF, ISM, and ANAO requirements. She has held senior roles in private practice, at global technology companies, on secondment in Commonwealth government legal teams, and was the commercial and procurement manager for an international defence prime implementing its Major Service Provider program for Defence.
