2024 Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights
- DATE 18 June 2024
- VENUE KPMG Sydney
About
Now in its eleventh year, the Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights convenes leaders from business, government, civil society, academia and the investor community to discuss emerging risks and opportunities, and to explore ways to collaborate on the continued implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the UN Global Compact Ten Principles.
Over the last five years, we have observed a significant amount of change in the regulatory landscape applicable to business and human rights. Around the world, many countries have progressed a variety of different measures, such as setting National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights, introducing transparency regimes, due diligence requirements and import bans. Here in Australia, our Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018 has driven a significant amount of activity toward combatting modern slavery, while other corporate accountability mechanisms have been introduced or evolved – including investigatory powers of the Australian Federal Police, directors’ duties and complaints mechanisms relating to workplace sexual harassment, and the Australian National Contact Point (AusNCP) for accountability on broader business conduct.
The result is that Australian companies are now considering how to meet various global standards as well as engage with several accountability and reporting requirements in Australia. As a prelude to the 2024 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, our 2024 Dialogue will explore the existing regulatory framework in Australia and consider: What is the ideal smart mix of measures in Australia to foster business respect for human rights?
The 2024 Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights has been made possible with the kind support of KPMG, Qantas and Pillar Two.
The event will be held under the Chatham House rule.
Please note: UNGCNA participants are entitled to one complimentary ticket as part of their membership of the UN Global Compact Network Australia and the list will be reviewed to ensure eligibility. If participants would like to register any additional attendees, they will be required to purchase the additional tickets.
Speakers
Program
Tuesday 18 June 2024
Registration Opens
Emcee Opening
- Kate Dundas, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Welcome to Country
- Uncle Allan Murray, NSW Metropolitan Land Council
Welcome from our Hosts
- Meg Brodie, Partner in Charge, KPMG Banarra, KPMG
Keynote Address: The evolution of the smart mix: Progress at the international level and reflections for Australia
- Fernanda Hopenhaym, Vice-Chairperson, United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights
Facilitated Discussion: The ‘smart mix of measures’ in Australia – how do we stack up?
In this session, Vanessa Zimmerman will provide an overview of the origin of the ‘smart mix’ various measures in place for Australian businesses.
Vanessa Zimmerman and Chris Caskey will then enter into a facilitated discussion with the full room, drawing on audience expertise and experience in attendance.
- Chris Caskey, Senior Manager, Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia
- Vanessa Zimmerman, Chair, Business & Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia; CEO, Pillar Two
Group Discussion: The ‘smart mix of measures’ in Australia – where are our gaps, risks and opportunities?
During this session, attendees will have 30 minutes to discuss the ‘smart mix of measures’ in place within Australia with fellow attendees at their pre-allocated table.
- Chris Caskey, Senior Manager, Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Morning Tea
Breakout Rooms: Human Rights Due Diligence
Following morning tea, attendees will be split into two groups and will attend two 20-minute breakout sessions focussed on measures in place to support businesses conducting human rights due diligence.
Both sessions will be run concurrently, back-to-back, with speakers changing rooms between sessions.
In each session, an expert will provide an overview of risks involved with each challenging setting as well as the applicable mix of measures in place to support (i.e. laws, guidance, tools and resources).
A facilitator will then invite questions from the audience on practical challenges and solutions identified in conducting human rights due diligence in either context.
Breakout 1 [Concurrent] – Measures in place to support due diligence in armed conflict zones
- Dr Jonathan Kolieb, Senior Lecturer and Director, Business and Human Rights Centre, RMIT University
- Chris Caskey, Senior Manager, Business & Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia (Facilitator)
Breakout 2 [Concurrent] – Measures in place to support Australian companies engaging in due diligence overseas
- Lynn Bell, Ambassador to Counter Modern Slavery, People Smuggling and Human Trafficking, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Vanessa Zimmerman, Chair, Business & Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia; CEO, Pillar Two (Facilitator)
Lunch
Debate: “This house agrees that the Australian Government’s approach to responsible business is world leading”
Following lunch, attendees will return to the plenary room for the annual Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights ‘Debate’. In this session, Professor Justine Nolan will moderate a DEBSOC style debate, featuring an affirmative and negative team with structured rebuttal following each argument.
- Professor Justine Nolan, (Moderator)
Director, Australian Human Rights Institute; Professor, Faculty of Law and Justice, UNSW - Sebastian Conley, Sustainable Procurement Manager, Transurban
- Professor Surya Deva, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development; Professor, Macquarie Law School; Director, Centre for Environmental Law, Macquarie University
- Dr Ebony Birchall, Lecturer, Macquarie University’s Law School; Deputy Director. BHR Access to Justice Lab (A2J Lab)
Fireside Chat: Observations on the impact of the Respect@Work measures on gender equality in Australia: How can we move Forward Faster?
In this session, Fiona Reynolds will facilitate a conversation on the impact that the introduction of the Respect@Work measures and updated Workplace Gender Equality Reporting has had in Australia.
- Fiona Reynolds, Chair, UN Global Compact Network Australia (Facilitator)
- Dr Meredith Nash, Director, Sexual Harassment & Gendered Violence, KPMG Australia
- Dr Samone McCurdy, Executive Manager, Capacity Building, Workplace Gender Equality Agency
Afternoon Tea
Interactive Panel: Response, remediation and restitution: How smart is our current mix?
The final panel session of the day will focus on the ‘smart mix’ related to business accountability. It will feature discussions with representatives from the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Australian Federal Police, and the Australian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct.
- Vanessa Zimmerman, Chair, Business & Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia; CEO, Pillar Two (Facilitator)
- Rachel Holt, Senior Executive, Investigation and Conciliation Service (ICS), Australian Human Rights Commission
- Luke Perritt, Team Lead, Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Human Trafficking Coordination
- Lauren Zanetti, Member, Governance and Advisory Board, Australian National Contact Point (AusNCP)
Facilitated Discussion: Key takeaways and next steps
In the final session, the UN Global Compact Network Australia team will wrap up the Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights by sharing key takeaways identified and inviting members of the audience to reflect on the discussion held throughout the day.
- Chris Caskey, Senior Manager, Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Closing Reflections
- Kate Dundas, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Cocktail Reception
Event Partners
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