2023 Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights
Bringing home the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights30 – 31 August | Melbourne
ABOUT
Now in its eighth year, the Dialogue brings together representatives from Australian business, government, civil society, academia and the investor community to discuss emerging risks and opportunities and 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.
2023 is a crucial year for the business and human rights agenda in Australia. Following the tabling of the review of the Modern Slavery Act in Parliament, the Federal Government will be considering the possibility of introducing amendments to our modern slavery transparency legislation, including introducing a potential due diligence requirement. There is also increased use of the Australian National Contact Point for human rights-related complaints against multi-national corporations, calls for greater consideration of respect for human rights in e-safety, the use of AI and in data privacy, and continued momentum around the human rights of First Nations Australians, not least through the referendum to be held later this year on a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament.
The 2023 Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights will convene a broad set of stakeholders across business, government, civil society and the investor community to discuss key business and human rights issues within Australia and explore how Australian businesses can meet and exceed stakeholder expectations.
The 2023 Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights has been made possible with the kind support of Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Qantas and Pillar Two.
The event will be held under the Chatham House rule.
Keynote
- Lene Wendland, Chief of Unit, Business and Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
AGENDA
Wednesday, 30 August 2023
10.30am – 11.00am
Registration
11.00am – 11.10am
Emcee Opening
- Kate Dundas, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Australia
11.10am – 11:25am
Welcome to Country
11.25am – 11:30am
Welcome from our Hosts
- Dr Phoebe Wynn-Pope, Head of Responsible Business and ESG, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
11.30am – 11.50am
Workstream Chair Opening
- Vanessa Zimmerman, Chair, Business and Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia
11.50am – 12.20pm
Keynote – The evolution of business and human rights: Progress at the international level
- Lene Wendland, Chief of Unit, Business and Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
12.20pm – 1.00pm
Keynote Response: Progress at the international level and what this means for Australian business
Facilitator:
- Vanessa Zimmerman, Chair, Business and Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Panel:
- Andrew Finch, General Counsel and Group Executive Office of the CEO, Qantas
- Jessica Tinsley, General Counsel, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Lene Wendland, Chief of Unit, Business and Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Louise Davidson, CEO, Australian Council of Superannuation Investors
1.00pm – 1.50pm
Lunch
1.50pm – 2.40pm
Elevating First Nations’ Voices using a Rights Respecting Approach: from interconnected approaches to the Voice to cultural heritage protection
Facilitator:
- Estelle Parker, Executive Manager, Programs, Responsible Investment Association of Australasia
Panel:
- Cath Brokenborough, Executive Lead, First Nations and Indigenous Engagement, Lendlease
- Jamie Lowe, CEO, National Native Title Council
- Melissa Sutton, Director, KPMG Banarra, Human Rights and Social Impact Services
2.40pm – 3.30pm
The Net Zero Authority and a Just Transition in line with the UNGPs: What can companies expect?
Facilitator:
- Chris Caskey, Manager, Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Panel:
- Annabel Hart, Partner, Business and Human Rights, Point Advisory (ERM)
- Daniel Sherrell, Senior Climate & Energy Policy Officer, Australian Council of Trade Unions
-
Martin Commons, Director, ESG Advisory, NAB
3.30pm – 4.00pm
Afternoon Tea
4.00pm – 4.30pm
Publication Launch
Business integration of Human Rights Due Diligence in Australia: Modern Slavery and Beyond
- Vanessa Zimmerman, Chair, Business and Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia
- Chris Caskey, Manager, Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia
4.30pm – 6.30pm
Cocktail Reception
Thursday, 31 August 2023
8.30am – 8.50am
Welcome back + Coffee
Tea and coffee served only
8.50am – 9.00am
Emcee Opening
- Kate Dundas, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Australia
9.00am – 9.50am
Towards horizontal policy coherence in Australia within Government: What’s working and what could be improved?
Facilitator:
- Vanessa Zimmerman, Chair, Business and Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Panel:
- Bronte Moules, Australian Ambassador for Human Rights, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Frances Finney, Assistant Secretary, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Branch, Attorney General’s Department
- Rosalind Croucher, President, Australian Human Rights Commission
- Tom Dickson, Chair, Governance and Advisory Board, Australian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (AusNCP)
10.00am – 10.50am
Commitment and communicating performance: How should businesses approach the emerging risks of ‘bluewashing’ and ‘bluehushing’?
Facilitator:
- Fiona Reynolds, Chair, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Panel:
- Alexandra Banks, Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY Australia
- Sandra Silea, Director, ESG and Stewardship, AustralianSuper
- Shanta Martin, Barrister, Victorian Bar; Independent Examiner, Australia National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (AusNCP)
10.50am – 11.20am
Morning Tea
11.20am – 12.00pm
Breakout Sessions
Modern slavery in Australia: Maritime Shipping – Understanding the seafarer experience and engaging with grievance mechanisms
Facilitator:
- Aaron Hill, Group Ethical Sourcing Manager, Coles Australia
Panel:
- Ian Bray, Australia Inspectorate, International Transport Workers’ Federation
- Rod Pickette, Policy Advisor, Maritime Union of Australia
Modern slavery in Australia: Migrant worker experience – how can companies respond?
Facilitator:
- Heidi Roberts, Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Panel:
- Bassina Farbenblum, Executive Director, Migrant Justice Institute
- Laura McManus, Director, UN Global Compact Network Australia
12.00pm – 12.50pm
Lunch
12.50pm – 2.00pm
Debate – Does Australia need a mHRDD regime to ensure business accountability on human rights?
Moderator:
- Professor Justine Nolan, Director, Australian Human Rights Institute, University of New South Wales
Debaters:
- Dr Jonathan Kolieb, RMIT University
- Emeritus Professor Paul Redmond, University of Technology Sydney
- Professor Shelley Marshall, Associate Professor, RMIT University
- Associate Professor Vikram Bhako, University of Melbourne
2.00pm – 2.30pm
Yet Another ‘iPhone’ Moment: How should business design respect for human rights into the use of emerging technologies
Facilitator:
- Ed Santow, Director – Policy & Governance at the Human Technology Institute (UTS)
Panel:
- Ella Serry, Acting Executive Manager, Strategy, Engagement and Research, Office of the Australia e-Safety Commissioner
- Lene Wendland, Chief of Unit, Business and Human Rights, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
2.30pm – 2.50pm
Afternoon Tea
2.50pm – 3.30pm
Evolution of rights-holder inclusion: How can companies meaningfully and safely engage with rightsholders?
Facilitator:
- Dr Phoebe Wynn-Pope, Head of Responsible Business and ESG, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Panel:
- Natalie Maxwell-Davis, Senior Manager, Modern Slavery Prevention and Response, Australian Red Cross
- Dr Luke Fletcher, Executive Director, Jubilee Australia
3.30pm – 3.40pm
Summary and Closing
- Chris Caskey, Manager, Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Details
- Date: 30 – 31 August 2023
- Time: 30 August 10.30am – 6.30pm | 31 August 8.30am – 4.00pm
- Location: Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Level 25, 567 Collins St, Melbourne VIC, 3000, Australia
EVENT SPONSORS
This event has been made possible with the support of Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Qantas and Pillar Two.
CONTACT
For any queries please contact secretariat@unglobalcompact.org.au