Program | DAY 1, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
TBA| Please note that the program is evolving. There may be some changes.
9.00 am
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
The YDINY-DJI are the Traditional Custodians of the land, seas, and waterways on which the 2022 FCA conference will be held. The conference will begin with a Welcome to Country.
Carl Fourmile, Minjil Cultural Agent & director
9.10 am
WELCOME TO CONFERENCE
Astrid Jorgenson (emcee), and Anne Crouch (FCA’s Chair) will welcome you to the conference. We welcome Astrid Jorgensen as our MC. Astrid is the founder and Director of Pub Choir, among her many talents.
9.35 am
OPENING KEYNOTE
Rod Sims - former Chair, ACCC
Rod Sims was the Chair of the ACCC for 11 years, leaving that role just a few months ago. Under his watch, the ACCC tackled lots of the big issues including the world-first digital platforms inquiry (Google, Facebook), the pricing practices of electricity companies and relevant to financial counselling, the unconscionable conduct court case against Telstra.
Rod is an economist by training, and he explains how our current economic settings are not working as well as they should, including contributing to growing inequality. We need reform. What needs to change? And what role can the financial counselling sector play?
10.05 am
IT'S TIME TO RAISE THE RATE
The rate of Newstart has not been increased in real terms for 25 years. Financial counsellors know what a difference it would make if the rate were raised. Here's how we can help make this happen.
Dr Sandy Ross - Executive Officer, FCVic
James Hunt - Campaigns Lead, Financial Counselling Australia
10.15 am
THROUGH THE TELESCOPE – Don Dale detainees and lump-sum payments.
Former Don Dale Youth Detention Centre detainees subjected to horrific abuse are now eligible for compensation. Hear from those supporting people to access and manage payments.
10.45 am
FCA UPDATE
CEO Fiona Guthrie will reflect on the year that's been and what lies ahead for the sector.
11.00 am | MORNING TEA
7.00 am to 7.50 am: Rise and Shine Yoga (beginners welcome. You just need to be able to breathe)
11.35 am
COMPUTER SAYS NO?—AI AND DECISION MAKING
Edward Santow, Professor – Responsible Technology (UTS)
How might the use of AI benefit vulnerable consumers? What risks do the use of AI present? What needs to be in place to mitigate them?
11.50 am
SOS ONLY – DIGITAL INCLUSION
Cynthia Gebert, Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (panel convener), Liz Jones, Acting CEO, Good Things Foundation
Andrew Williams, CEO, ACCAN,
Maddison Reys, Financial counsellor, Cape York Partnerships
Covid has catapulted even the most resistant of us into the digital world. So much so, that many of our systems – especially financial and government systems – assume we have digital access. Without it, people are left behind. How might we stop this?
12.20 pm
ENERGY TRANSITION –CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
Clare Savage
Australian Energy Regulator, Chair
Getting to reliable, affordable, sustainable power is a complex challenge. This session is about understanding the problem and looking at it through the lens of vulnerable consumers.
12.35 pm
TIME TO ACT – URGENCY AND OPPORTUNITY IN DISASTER INSURANCE
April Blair, Ombudsman, AFCA (panel chair)
John Berrill, Partner, Berrill and Watson Lawyers
John Trowbridge, Insurance industry consultant
Warren Entsch, Federal member for Leichhardt
Are we facing an insurance crisis in Australia? The panel will explain the opportunities for the community sector to take action and explain why it's urgent that we do so.
1.00 pm | LUNCH
3.30 pm | AFTERNOON TEA
4.00 pm
SETTING SAIL—WHAT'S SHAPED US?
Jon Yeo, Brightstar Consulting
Lynda Edwards, Sue Fraser and Denis Nelthorpe
We all benefit from knowing where we came from. Our sector is built on the imagination and guts of people who have seen possibilities, seized them, and acted on them. Hear about some of the extraordinary initiatives that have shaped the culture of our sector and the people who have made them happen.
4.20 pm
CHARTING NEW TERRITORY—ONE STOP ONE STORY
What if people in distress only had to tell their story once? Thriving Communities Partnership and the One Stop One Story Hub champions will walk us through the pilot of their world-first cross-sector digital platform, connecting people in our community to support programs, simply and easily, through a single-entry point in a safe and secure way.
4.40 pm
HOW TO MAKE A DENT IN THE UNIVERSE – A PSYCHOLOGIST'S GUIDE TO MAKING THINGS HAPPEN
In this closing keynote behavioural scientist, Patrycja Slawuta will take us on an immersive and intensive journey into how to turn our insights and inspirations from this conference into meaningful and impactful action. Because tomorrow starts today.
5.00 pm
CLOSE
7.00 pm | JAN PENTLAND DINNER
Register for ‘A feast by the sea’.
6.30 pm drinks for 7.00 pm start dinner
