Attend and receive invaluable information on the critical legislative reform and other updates impacting NDIS. Dissect the anticipated outcomes and far-reaching impacts resulting from the NDIS review and the final report of the Royal Commission. Led by a distinguished panel of industry professionals, join them to navigate the challenges encountered by both providers and participants, and leave equipped to navigate the future of the NDIS.  

Presenters

Mr. Luke Geary, Partner, Mills Oakley
Luke is a Partner in the Mills Oakley NFPs, Human Rights & Social Impact team in Brisbane and has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector. Luke has developed a particular expertise in assisting institutions in the disability sector in ensuring their operations are in line with the developing findings of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, for the safety and promotion of inclusion for people with disability. In this regard, Luke is regularly briefed by major institutions to assist in responding to the Royal Commission’s request for documents and information and to prepare submissions for and appear as a legal advisor in public hearings before the Royal Commission. Luke regularly advises Australia’s largest social sector organisations on safeguarding and investigations matters, to ensure good risk management and compliance within those entities and the stakeholders they support. Luke was named one of Australia’s Best Lawyers for Non-Profit/Charities Law in the 2023/2024 Best Lawyers list for the eighth consecutive year, including in both 2020 and 2023 being named as Australia’s Non-Profit/Charities ‘Lawyer of the Year’.


Ms. Vanessa Baic, Special Counsel, K&L Gates
Vanessa Baic is a corporate and commercial lawyer whose practice focuses on the health, aged care/retirement living and therapeutic goods sectors. Ms. Baic advises clients on a range of issues affecting the above industries including compliance with regulatory requirements, contracting, risk management, privacy, structuring and mergers and acquisitions. Her clients include some of Australia's most well known companies in the health, aged care/retirement living and therapeutic goods sectors and comprise for-profit and not-for profit entities as well as government.


Ms. Libby Pallot, Principal, Russell Kennedy
Libby Pallot is the head of Russell Kennedy's Workplace Relations, Employment & Safety practice and a partner of the firm. Libby is an experienced practitioner in all areas of employment law and industrial relations. Libby regularly advises employers in relation to employment disputes, terms and conditions of employment, the modern award system and generally in relation to an employer's obligation under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Libby regularly presents at industry and profession seminars as an expert in this area.


Mr. Riley Huntley, Lawyer, Mills Oakley
Riley is a Lawyer in the NFPs, Human Rights & Social Impact team in Brisbane. Riley regularly acts for individuals in matters of public interest and cases involving human rights issues. Riley also has experience in assisting institutional clients, including large not-for-profits, charities, representative bodies and service providers, responding to claims for damages involving historical child abuse, Royal Commissions, corporate governance failures and membership disputes. Riley has experience acting for institutions and individuals across a range of areas including: Acting on behalf of survivors of child abuse in civil claims against government and other institutions as well as perpetrators directly; Assisting institutions with Counsel in litigated civil claims for damages for historical child abuse in Supreme and District Courts across Australia; Assisting not-for-profits and charities with Counsel in matters involving corporate governance failures, membership disputes and successor institutions before the Supreme Courts across Australia; Advising on regulatory compliance, including on child abuse reporting and working with children’s check obligations under various state-based legislation; Acting on behalf of Charities in debt recovery actions; Assisting individuals who are the victims of defamation in obtaining urgent injunctive relief and; Acting on behalf of individuals in Child Protection proceedings. Riley is a winner of the LawyersWeekly Australian Law Awards Legal Support Professional of the Year 2022. She has a graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (College of Law) and is a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Human Physiology) (Queensland University of Technology).


Ms. Kylie Hyde, Civil Law Solicitor, Legal Aid
Kylie Hyde is currently a Solicitor with the Civil Law team at Legal Aid Coffs Harbour. Kylie currently provides general civil law advice across a range of issues, including issues relating to the NDIS. Kylie as part of this team provides education sessions to medical and allied health professionals and members of the community, particularly in relation to the NDIS and DSP. Kylie was previously the Senior Solicitor, Disability Law with the Mid North Coast Legal Centre and Disability Advocacy NSW. Prior to joining the Mid North Coast Legal Centre Kylie was with Legal Aid in the Government Law NDIS team. Kylie has an extensive background in litigation, starting in private practice in a regional firm, and then working overseas as a Legal Officer for two London Boroughs, before returning to work in Sydney and then back to Coffs Harbour. Kylie has a particular interest in systemic issues impacting on individuals living with a disability. Kylie has previously appeared as a witness before the Senate Inquiry into the Purpose, Intent and Adequacy of the DSP.