Welcome Reception

Welcome to Country

Welcome

Wayne Herbert – LEAD Disability Services

Elly Desmarchelier – Speaker, writer, event facilitator and disability rights advocate

Minister’s Address

Minister Tanya Plibersek – Minister for Social Services of Australia

Address

Michael Lye – Secretary, Department of Social Services

The case for reforming the Disability Support Pension

Matt Wright – Partner, Deloitte Access Economics

What’s it like to deal with the DSP?

Damien Porter – Disability Advocate, Freelance Consultant, and Co-Host of the Ability Podcast

Panel Session: The case for reforming the Disability Support Pension

Michael Lye – Secretary, Department of Social Services

Matt Wright – Partner, Deloitte Access Economics

John Burn – Chief Executive Officer, DEInvestments

Damien Porter – Disability Advocate, Freelance Consultant, and Co-Host of the Ability Podcast

Catherine McAlpine – Inclusion Australia

Transforming the Disability Employment Ecosystem

Peter Bacon – Chief Executive Officer, Disability Employment Australia

Labour Market Update

Callam Pickering – APAC Senior Economist, Indeed

Presentation of Blended Transitions Findings

Ann Nevile – Hon Associate Professor, ANU

Interview with 2025 DEA Hall of Fame honouree

Prof Alastair McEwan AM – Disability and human rights consultant

Sally Karandrews – IEA Policy Manager, Disability Employment Australia

Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country

Wayne Herbert – LEAD Disability Services

Elly Desmarchelier – Speaker, writer, event facilitator and disability rights advocate

Lessons from the UK and an Introduction to the Supported Employment Quality Framework

Laura Davis – Chief Executive Officer, British Association of Supported Employment

Panel – how could the Supported Employment Quality Framework apply to Australia?

Peter Bacon – Chief Executive Officer, Disability Employment Australia

Dr June Alexander – Lecturer, Flinders University

Laura Davis – Chief Executive Officer, British Association of Supported Employment

Dr Jenny Crosbie – Interim Director, Centre for Inclusive Employment

Lightning Panel from providers on inclusion

Creating a ‘pull’ in disability employment: a focus on the demand side

John Burn – Chief Executive Officer, DEInvestments

Panel session: Future developments on the ‘demand side’

Amy Whalley – Chief Executive Officer, AusDN

Prof Alastair McEwan AM – Disability and human rights consultant

John Burn – Chief Executive Officer, DEInvestments

Don Intine – Programmed

Conference Summary

Wayne Herbert – LEAD Disability Services

Elly Desmarchelier – Speaker, writer, event facilitator and disability rights advocate

Conference Wrap Up

Mat McIntyre – Chair, Disability Employment Australia