Registrations open for ANZSOG’s 2025 First Nations Conference Leave a Legacy – Be a Transformer
29 May 2025
● News and media
Working successfully with First Nations communities requires transformative change across governments. All agencies need new capabilities, new mindsets and to make systemic change to the ways they work with communities.
Earlybird registrations are now open for ANZSOG’s 2025 First Nations Public Administration Conference, which will bring together hundreds of public servants, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander peoples and Māori community representatives, to share what it takes to transform the way governments work with First Nations communities, to create partnerships that deliver better outcomes.
This is difficult but necessary work, and the Conference will be both a catalyst for transformation and a space to reflect on the changes public services need to make.
The Conference will be held in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera Peoples, from 26-28 November.
The theme of the Conference: Leave a Legacy – Be a Transformer reflects the importance of Priority Three of Australia’s National Agreement on Closing the Gap – Transforming Government Organisations – and the need for all of us to address the limited progress made on this goal so far.
A diverse lineup of 24 dynamic and engaging speakers will focus on the work required to transform government organisations and 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.
Public servants will build their understanding of the need to move beyond the siloed structures and command-and-control mentality of traditional public services, and create authentic, relationship-based partnerships with First Nations and Māori communities that share power.
Attendees will hear from organisations that have begun their own transformation, learn more about practical tools for making change, and what has kept the flame of transformation burning.
Already confirmed speakers include:
- Lil Anderson – former CEO of the Office of Māori Crown Relations/Te Arawhiti
- Jody Broun – CEO of the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)
- Romlie Mokak – consultant and former Commissioner of the Productivity Commission
- Donna Flavell – Chief Executive of Waikato-Tainui and Chair of the Iwi Advisors Group for Freshwater
- 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 – Conscious Solutions
- Dr Lisa Conway – Assistant Secretary First Nations Employment Policy & Programs Branch, DEWR
- Justin Tipa – Chairman of Te Rūnanga Ngāi Tahu
- Selwyn Button – Commissioner at the Productivity Commission
In addition, ground-breaking journalist and Wiradjuri man Stan Grant, will address the Conference Dinner on Thursday 27 November.
A focus of the conference will be the experience of Aotearoa New Zealand, with speakers sharing their insights into the relationship between Māori and the Crown over the past 6 years, as well as the partnerships that have delivered change over 50 years and the Treaty of Waitangi Settlements which have given some Māori Iwi (tribes), economic independence and control of their future, to leave a legacy for younger generations .
While the New Zealand government is changing its approach to Māori Crown Relations and how government agencies will work with Māori in the future, this new direction presents opportunities for devolution and local decision-making on a scale never seen before.
ANZSOG Dean and CEO Professor Caron Beaton-Wells said that the conference would be a chance for attendees to be inspired and hear stories of success.
“Like our four previous First Nations conferences, it’s a space to listen deeply, to learn humbly and to lead with purpose. It’s an event for frank discussion about why agencies are failing to change, and what skills, capabilities and mindsets are needed for the future.”
“It’s an important event for us, because public servants have a powerful role to play in shaping systems that are fair, inclusive, and trusted by communities to work with them to deliver better outcomes.”
ANZSOG’s First Nations Senior Advisors, Sharon Nelson Kelly and Jarrod West said that they were excited that ANZSOG would be returning to Meanjin/Brisbane after the success of the First Peoples to All Peoples Conference in 2023.
“Like our previous First Nations conferences, this will be an occasion which brings together hundreds of public servants, community organisation representatives and academics to learn from, and be inspired by different approaches and perspectives,” Ms Nelson Kelly said.
“We want to show people how they can be agents of change within their organisations and leave a legacy of policy and actions that meet the needs of First Nations people and communities.”
Conference panel discussions will feature a wide range of First Nations and Māori speakers, who will help delegates understand the structural and cultural barriers that stop them closing the gap between good intentions and reality.
“Why is it that despite strong policy statements, targets and increased resources, change is hard to make, and governments seem stuck in business as usual?” Mr West said.
“To really answer this question, public servants will need to honestly examine how their organisations operate, their cultural blind spots, their attitudes and values, and recognise what they need to change, to interact more effectively with First Nations people and communities on the ground.”
Early Bird registrations for the 2025 ANZSOG First Nations Conference Leave a Legacy – Be a Transformer are now OPEN until 31 July. NB: Conference Dinner tickets are only available when registering.
For more information on ANZSOG’s previous First Nations Conferences, resources are available here on our website. These include the ANZSOG Explainer ‘The National Agreement on Closing the Gap and what it means for public servants’ which outlines how public servants at all levels need to change how they work, to meet the goals of the Agreement.
To receive further updates on the Conference program, please subscribe to our First Nations e-news.