Do you want to be part of the transformative change required in First Nations and Māori policy development and delivery?
ANZSOG’s 2025 First Nations Public Administration Conference: Leave a Legacy – Be a Transformer will bring together hundreds of public servants, academics and First Nations and Māori community representatives to explore the critical work government organisations must do to truly partner with First Nations peoples and Māori.
Leave a Legacy – Be a Transformer will be held in Meanjin/Brisbane from 26-28 November, and Earlybird ticket sales have been extended to 29 August, to give more people the chance to attend the event at an affordable price.
Working successfully with First Nations communities will require transformative change across governments. All agencies need to develop new capabilities, new mindsets, and news ways of working with communities.
A recent report from the Coalition of Peaks (CoP) found there is limited evidence of any of Australia’s governments making the systemic changes they need to make to meet their commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. This backs up a series of earlier reports, including this one from the Productivity Commission in 2024, which found that fundamental changes were required to deliver on the Agreement
The Conference will present a diverse lineup of 24 dynamic and engaging speakers who will explore why - despite goodwill and good intentions - progress has remained challenging.
They will direct a frank conversation about what is blocking transformation and ask attendees to reflect on the attitudes, values, norms, and power dynamics that may be working against their best intentions.
Participants will learn what needs to change, how to take difficult first steps, and hear stories of success.
Lil Anderson, former CEO of the Office of Māori Crown Relations/Te Arawhiti, will host the conference, bringing her insights into the current situation in Aotearoa, and its relevance to transformation in Australia.
Ms Anderson has worked in Australia as an ANZSOG Teaching and Leadership Fellow and is well known and respected by many Australian public servants who have participated in her ANZSOG Masterclasses.
Speakers are continually being added to the Conference program, and the following are now confirmed:
- Donna Flavell – Chief Executive of Waikato-Tainui and Chair of the Iwi Advisors Group for Freshwater, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Geoff Richardson PSM – former senior public servant, Chief Executive of First Nations Development Services
- Jason Ardler PSM – former senior NSW public servant, co-founder and director of Thiriwirri
- Craig Leon – Managing Director, Conscious Solutions
- Dr Lisa Conway – Assistant Secretary First Nations Employment Policy & Programs Branch, DEWR
- Justin Tipa – Chairman of Te Rūnanga Ngāi Tahu, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Selwyn Button – Commissioner at the Productivity Commission
- Sacha McMeeking, Executive Director Māori, Pacific and Equity, University of Canterbury, NZ
- Hera Douglas, Chief Advisor, Aroturiki Tamariki/Independent Children’s Monitor, NZ
- Jess Smith, Deputy CE, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, NZ
- Leanne Liddle – Executive Director, Community Resilience and Engagement, NT Police
In addition, Stan Grant, ground-breaking journalist and Wiradjuri man will address the Conference Dinner on Thursday 27 November.
These speakers all bring their own expertise and perspectives, based on work in First Nations and Māori policy and a deep understanding of the complex policy landscape and the need to embed Indigenous knowledge and culture into policy. They will share their wisdom with participants in panel discussions, and provide more detail in yarning/breakout sessions where delegates can ask questions.
This conference is an important, unique, professional development opportunity for all public servants who work directly or indirectly with First Nations or Māori communities, to enrich their understanding of First Nations policy, and meet others who share their passion and commitment to these issues.