Government Law Morning 2024

Government Law Morning 2024

Join us for the Law Society’s Government Law Committee's CPD Morning, designed specifically for government legal professionals at both the Territory and Commonwealth levels.

Our program features:

  • Working with Legislative Drafters: This session will explore the complexities of the drafting process. They will discuss the roles of legislative drafters and instructors and share strategies for creating effective legislation.

  • Navigating International Law in Government: This session will examine the intersections between international law and government legal work. You'll gain insights into human rights, trade, and investment law, and learn how international law integrates with domestic legislation. Discover when to consult resources like AGS, OIL, and DFAT.

  • Cybersecurity for Government Lawyers: Cybersecurity is increasingly relevant across all areas of legal practice, with unique considerations for government lawyers. This session will offer a foundational understanding of cybersecurity issues, provide updates on recent developments in cybersecurity policy, legislation, and case law in Australia, and offer practical guidance on managing breaches within your agency or from external suppliers.

2024 Government Law Morning

Time 

Session Title 

8:30am

Registration opens

8:55am

Welcome and Introduction

9:00am - 10:00am 

Working with Legislative Drafters
Presented by Bianca Kimber and Meredith Leigh
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.

10:00am – 10:15am 

Morning Tea 

10:15am - 11:15am 

Navigating the Intersection of International Law and Government Legal Work
Presented by David Mason and Dr Penelope (Pene) Mathews
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).
 

11:15am - 12:15pm 

From Briefcase to Cyberspace: cybersecurity considerations for government lawyers
Presented by Annie Haggar and Amanda Wescombe
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.

12:15pm - 1:15pm  

Lunch 
 

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your expertise and network with peers.

  

This event is proudly supported by the College of Law. 

DETAILS

  • When: 9:00am - 1:15pm, Thursday 24 October (Registrations open from 8:30am)
  • Where: The Boat House by the Lake - Menindee Drive, Barton
  • Members will earn 3 CPD points
  • Cost (incl GST): $250 members, $350 non-members, $115 student members
  • Price includes morning tea and lunch

 

MEET THE SPEAKERS

 

WORKING WITH LEGISLATIVE DRAFTERS

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

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

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. 

Event registration terms and conditions

ACT Law Society invoices have payment terms of 14 days. Fees are payable upon registration. A 1.2% surcharge may be incurred on payments processed via credit/debit card. The Society reserves the right to cancel or alter events at its discretion, and in such circumstances, attendees will be notified via email. 

Definitions — 'Registration' means any booking given to the Society in writing, on our website, or by phone. 'Member' means any member of the ACT Law Society, including associate members and honorary members. 'New Lawyer' means any member who has held a practising certificate for five years or less. 'CLC' means any member working for a recognised community legal centre, or holding a volunteer practising certificate. 'Student' means any member holding a student membership.

All cancellations must be made in writing, and all cancellations will incur a fee, however, no charge will be incurred for substituting another person. Outside of the cancellation periods given below, a $10 administration fee will be incurred for any cancellation made. If a registered attendee fails to attend without notifying the Society in writing, no credit or refund will be offered and 100% of the total cost will be retained by the Society. 

CPD Events — In the case of CPD events held at an venue other than the Law Society, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event. In the case of CPD events held at the Law Society, for cancellations made up to two working days prior to the event, 50% of the total cost will be retained by the Society as a cancellation fee and the balance may be used as a credit towards other CPD events or be refunded. If you choose to keep a credit it will remain valid for 12 months from the event date, after which time it will expire. For cancellations within two working days of the event, no refunds or credits will be applicable. 

Webinars — In the case of live or on-demand webinars, as connection details are sent when registration is completed, no refund or cancellation is available. 

Social events — In the case of social events, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event.

Attendees of events consent to filming, photography and sound recording as members of the audience. By registering and attending this event you agree to being filmed or photographed which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes

 

 

Registration

Member Ticket $250.00(GST incl.) Register
Non-member $350.00(GST incl.) Register
Student member ticket $115.00(GST incl.) Register

Schedule

Speakers

Sponsors & Supporters

The College of Law in the Australian legal profession is a name well known. Not only because we’ve been at the forefront of practice based legal education since 1974, but also that our mission has never faltered. A mission to break with convention, to deliver innovative, flexible education and training to create a career in the legal services industry that lasts. 

What else sets us apart? Well, we focus on real life in practice. Taking the theoretical into the current state of the profession, to provide true relevance and practical learning that’s valuable, from day dot. 

With over 45 years serving the legal profession, we occupy a special place. Most lawyers in Australia and New Zealand today start their career with us, undertaking their Practical Legal Training (PLT) to prepare for admission to practice. We also partner with over 30 law firms and government agencies to embed PLT  within graduate programs.

We then support lawyers in their careers through offering short courses and postgraduate programs such as our LLM in Applied Law, which includes the option to major in Government and Public Sector Law . Our aim is to help people succeed as lawyers whatever role they choose to pursue. We want our graduates to be the best they possibly can be and to thrive in the profession. As the legal profession continues to develop, we aim to be here to assist in the transition and offer support at every stage of a lawyer’s career.  

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