Regulatory and Class Action Risk Symposium

Cyber Regulation in Australia: A National Security Perspective

Join Ruth Overington and Melissa Gladstone as they sit down with Hamish Hansford, Head of National Security, Department of Home Affairs, to unpack the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber regulation in Australia. With cyber threats growing in scale and sophistication, this session explores how national security priorities are shaping regulatory reform—from critical infrastructure protections to mandatory incident reporting and beyond.

Hamish will share insights from the frontline of policy development, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how government is responding to emerging risks, and what businesses need to know to stay ahead of compliance and resilience expectations.

Expect a dynamic conversation that bridges policy, practice, and strategic foresight.

Speakers:
Ruth Overington | Melissa Gladstone
In conversation with Hamish Hansford, Head of National Security, Department of Home Affairs

CPD points:
1 CPD point | Practice Management and Business Skills

ASIC Enforcement in Focus: A Conversation with Sarah Court

In this interactive session, Cameron Hanson and Harry Edwards will engage ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court in a wide-ranging conversation about the regulator’s evolving enforcement posture and strategic priorities including ASIC’s views on a 'Why not litigate?' approach in enforcement as well as the interaction between regulatory enforcement and class actions. This session offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of Australia’s most senior regulators on the principles guiding enforcement decisions in an increasingly complex legal and market environment.

Speakers: 
Cameron Hanson & Harry Edwards,
In conversation with Sarah Court, Deputy Chair, ASIC

CPD points:
1 CPD point | Practice Management and Business Skills

Shareholder class actions: taking stock of recent trends and developments and what this means for any claims in the future?

This session brings together leading legal and governance experts for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of shareholder and investor class actions, and the implications for corporate Australia. Christian Gergis joins Carolyn Pugsley, Damian Grave, Alan Mitchell and Ante Golem to reflect on trends in the Australian shareholder and investor class actions market and the implications arising from recent legal developments, and what all this means for potential future developments in this area.

The panel will also explore how companies may address these risks and the role of corporate governance in mitigating any exposure, and what the future holds for class action dynamics in Australia.

Speakers:
Carolyn Pugsley, Damian Grave, Alan Mitchell and Ante Golem in conversation with Christian Gergis, Head of Policy, AICD

CPD points:
1 CPD point | Substantative Law

Expanding the Boundaries of Class Actions: New Claims and New Challenges

Class actions are expanding into newer areas like cyber and data, AI, climate change, misuse of market power and employment-related claims, creating fresh challenges for corporates. This session explores the rise of these emerging actions, the particular challenges they throw up, and what’s next in the evolving class action landscape. 

CPD points:
1 CPD point | Substantative Law

Speakers:
Bryony Adams, Tania Gray, Liz Poulos and Merryn Quayle

Product Liability Class Actions – the current landscape

In this session, Aoife Xuereb and Kate Cahill sit down with Rebecca Gilsenan and Philipa Briggs to discuss recent and novel trends in product liability class actions, including the sectors most at risk, litigation funding and the potential impact of recent high-profile cases. Together, they’ll unpack the legal, strategic, and societal factors fuelling the current interest in these claims, and what this means for manufacturers, insurers, and consumers. Expect a practical and insightful discussion on where the law is heading and how stakeholders can prepare.

Speakers:
Aoife Xuereb & Kate Cahill in conversation with Rebecca Gilsenan, Principal Lawyer, Maurice Blackburn, and Philippa Briggs, Investment Manager, Omni Bridgeway

CPD points:
1 CPD point | Substantative Law

Closing address

Networking drinks

Sarah Court

Deputy Chair | ASIC

Hamish Hansford

Head of National Security | Department of Home Affairs

Philippa Briggs

Senior Investment Manager | Omni Bridgeway

Rebecca Gilsenan

Executive Director, Principal Lawyer, National Head of Class Actions | Maurice Blackburn

Christian Gergis

Head of Policy | Australian Institute of Company Directors