2026 AGLS Conference
The conference will be held on Thursday 24 September 2026 as a hybrid event, with the option to attend either in-person at the Hotel Realm in Barton, Canberra or virtually through an online portal.
Register now!
Tickets are $275 for in-person and $125 for virtual attendance.
The Past, Present and Possibilities of Government Law
The 2026 AGLS Conference theme, 'The Past, Present and Possibilities' explores the history of government legal practice and encompasses the notion that even in complex times, our history and experiences assist us to embrace the future. The conference will draw on past lessons, raise contemporary issues and discuss future risks and possibilities within the Australian Government legal landscape.
Conference program
- Tim Shaw, an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience in the Australian and international media, will lead the day as Master of Ceremonies.
- Meredith Leigh, First Parliamentary Counsel, Office of Parliamentary Counsel, will deliver the keynote address 'From Lawyer to Leader: What I learnt about leadership from mountain biking'.
- David Lewis, General Counsel (Constitutional), Office of Constitutional Law, Attorney-General's Department, will discuss 'From Policy to Referendum – the Voice to Parliament'.
- David Cherry, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, will consider the strong association between perfectionism and burnout, preparing to work in difficult environments, and provide simple, low-cost, low-effort steps that individuals and organisations can take to protect and promote wellbeing.
- Andrew Walter, First Assistant Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; Kilifoti Eteuati, Executive General Counsel, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority; and Melissa Purdy, Acting General Counsel, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will discuss legal ethics and integrity in modern government practice.
- Professor Jeannie Paterson, Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics, and Dr Rebecca Azzopardi, Acting Assistant Secretary, Department of Home Affairs, will discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by AI and explore the potential impacts in the context of government lawyering.