VIC Gippsland Network

DEI is the hot topic of the moment, particularly with the backlash in the USA, which raises important questions for Australian employers in 2025 and beyond.

How can Australian HR professionals assist their organisation to navigate DEI backlash without compromising compliance with safety and Respect@Work laws?

Debate about the future of DEI is everywhere. What do Australian HR professionals need to know?

In this seminar, experts Cilla Robinson (Partner) and Erin Richardson (Senior Associate) from law firm King & Wood Mallesons will: 

• Set out key context to the current DEI debate;

• Explain key legal and political differences between Australia and the USA, including in relation to Australia’s 
workplace health and safety and Respect@Work laws, that will impact the extent to which DEI initiatives are unwound 
here; and

• Provide practical guidance to HR practitioners about what to do when faced with resistance, confusion and potentially 
backlash to DEI and related Respect@Work initiatives.

This will be an interactive seminar. Participation during the Q&A is encouraged.

Target Audience  

HR Professionals of all levels, Leadership, Executives including C suite

Speaker: Cilla Robinson – Partner of King & Wood Mallesons

Cilla Robinson is a Partner at King & Wood Mallesons, bringing over 20 years of expertise in employment law, with focus on industrial relations and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is passionate about advocating for workplace safety and inclusivity and has been instrumental in shaping policies and programs that promote gender equality and address discrimination. She is a fellow of the Dr John Yu Culture and Diversity Leadership Fellowship, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors published her report on a practical roadmap for Boards on the Australian Human Rights Commissions Respect at Work Report. Beyond her legal practice, Cilla is a board director of the Wayside Chapel and an Advisory Committee member of the UNSW Gender Equality Hub and an Advisory Board member of the UNSW Centre for the Future of the Legal Profession.

Erin Richardson is a Senior Associate in the King & Wood Mallesons Employee Relations & Safety team. She is an experienced employment, safety, and industrial relations practitioner, with particular expertise in sexual harassment and discrimination complaints, workplace investigations, complex public sector employment issues, and disciplinary matters. She is also an experienced litigator and regularly appears on behalf of clients as an advocate.
Erin is particularly sought after by clients for her expertise Respect@Work matters. With a background as a policy expert in workforce gender equality initiatives, Erin regularly assists clients with their most sensitive issues in this area.

Other Event Information 

You will obtain 1.5 CPD points for this forum.
 

Registration Information 

Registration close: Tuesday 28^th of April 2025

Having trouble registering? Contact Us or phone 1300 811 880.

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