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Monday 15 June 2026
Welcome Reception
Welcome Reception
Tuesday 16 June 2026
Conference Day 1
Registration
Welcome to Country
Welcome
Your emcees Wayne Herbert and Elly Desmarchelier
CEO’s Address
Peter Bacon
CEO, Disability Employment Australia
Labour Market Update
Callam Pickering – APAC senior economist, Indeed
Morning Tea
DSS Update
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
John Burn – CEO, DEInvestments
Damien Porter – Disability Advocate, Freelance Consultant, and Co-Host of the Ability Podcast
Matt Wright – Partner, Deloitte Access Economics
Lunch
Breakout Session 1
Breakout Session 2
Breakout Session 3
Breakout Session 4
Breakout Session 5
Breakout Session 6
Afternoon Tea
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, interviewed by Sally Karandrews – DEA IEA Policy Manager
Gala Dinner
Including Hall of Fame Ceremony and DEA Awards presentations
Wednesday 17 June 2026
Conference Day 2
Registration
Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country
Your emcees Wayne Herbert and Elly Desmarchelier
Lessons from the UK and an Introduction to the Supported Employment Quality Framework
Laura Davis – CEO, British Association of Supported Employment
Panel – how could the Supported Employment Quality Framework apply to Australia?
Peter Bacon – CEO, Disability Employment Australia
Laura Davis – CEO, British Association of Supported Employment
Dr Jenny Crosbie – Interim Director, Centre for Inclusive Employment
Dr June Alexander – Flinders University
Sessions to be confirmed
Morning Tea
Creating a ‘pull’ in disability employment: a focus on the demand side
John Burn – CEO, DEInvestments
Panel session: Future developments on the ‘demand side’
Amy Whalley – CEO, AusDN
Professor Alastair McEwin AM – Disability and human rights consultant
John Burn – CEO, DEInvestments
Lightning panel session: Providers on inclusion
Lunch
Breakout Session 1
Breakout Session 2
Breakout Session 3
Breakout Session 4
Breakout Session 5
Breakout Session 6
Afternoon Tea
Conference Summary
Wayne Herbert and Elly Desmarchelier
Conference Wrap Up
Mat McIntyre – Chair, DEA
Conference Close