C. Public hearings

Thursday 3 November 2022

Canberra, and by videoconference

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Ms Natalie James, Secretary
Mr Nathan Smyth, Deputy Secretary—Employment and Workforce
Ms Kylie Crane, First Assistant Secretary—Evidence and Assurance
Ms Benedikte Jensen, First Assistant Secretary—Employment Policy and Analytics
Ms Kerryn Kovacevic, First Assistant Secretary—Digital Solutions
Ms Miranda Lauman, First Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia for Business
Ms Melissa Ryan, First Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia for Individuals
Ms Robyn Shannon, First Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia Provider Support
Ms Nicolle Johnston, Assistant Secretary—Digital Experience and Services
Dr Louise O’Rance, Assistant Secretary—Data Management and Reporting

Friday 11 November 2022

Canberra, and by videoconference

Associate Professor Elise Klein OAM, Private capacity

Australian National University

Dr Ann Nevile, Honorary Associate Professor—Centre for Social Research and Methods
Dr Katherine Curchin, Senior Lecturer—Centre for Social Research and Methods

Dr Eve Vincent, Private capacity

Volunteering Australia

Mr Mark Pearce, CEO

Goodstart Early Learning

Ms Kelly Millar, National Social Policy Manager

Economic Justice Australia

Ms Linda Forbes, Law Reform Officer
Mr Simon (Sam) Tracy, Practice Director, Basic Rights Queensland

Brotherhood of St Laurence

Dr Travers McLeod, Executive Director
Dr Dina Bowman, Principal Research Fellow—Work and Economic Security
Mrs Penny Bohm, Project Manager
Ms Rebecca Pinney Meddings, Senior Manager—Financial Inclusion

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Ms Benedikte Jensen, First Assistant Secretary—Employment Policy and Analytics
Ms Robyn Shannon, First Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia Provider Support
Ms Carmel O'Regan, Assistant Secretary—Targeted Employment Policy
Ms Samantha Robertson, Assistant Secretary—Employment Services Programs
Ms Deborah Brown, Acting Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia Inquiry Taskforce
Dr Andrew Wright, Director—Targeted Employment Policy

Department of Social Services

Mr Matt Flavel, Deputy Secretary—Social Security
Ms Jo Evans, Group Manager—Participation and Family Payments
Mr Ben Peoples, Branch Manager—Participation and Supplementary Payments

Services Australia

Ms Cathy Toze, General Manager—Income Management and Targeted Services
Mr Eric Harper, Acting General Manager—Working Age Programmes
Ms Juleigh Cook, National Manager—Disability Pension and Parenting Payment
Mr Robert Hall, Acting National Manager—Participation Programmes and Compliance

Tuesday 6 December 2022

Melbourne

National Council of Single Mothers and their Children

Ms Terese Edwards, CEO

Council of Single Mothers and their Children

Ms Jenny Davidson, CEO

Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare

Ms Deb Tsorbaris, CEO
Ms India Grevis-James, Senior Policy and Research Officer

Australian Council of Social Service

Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO
Dr Simone Casey, Senior Advisor—Employment

Wednesday 7 December 2022

Sydney

Ms Angela Finch, Private capacity

Ms Melissa Rogers, Private capacity

Ms Ella Buckland, Private capacity

Ms Charlie McKenna, Private capacity

Australian Human Rights Commission

Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher, President

Domestic Violence NSW

Ms Renata Field, Team Manager-Policy, Advocacy and Research

Campbell Page

Mr Peter Bacon, Head of Strategic Growth
Ms Julia North, Program Manager-ParentsNext

OCTEC

Ms Charissa Mossop, Program Manager—ParentsNext
Mr Christopher Clark, Manager-Employment and Training

Metro Assist

Ms April Pan, Manager-Settlement and Employment Programs
Ms Quynh Pham, Employment Services Team Leader

Wednesday 18 January 2023

Melbourne

Brave Foundation

Ms Jill Roche, CEO

National Employment Services Association

Ms Sally Sinclair, CEO
Ms Annette Gill, Principal Policy Advisor

Jobs Australia

Ms Debra Cerasa, CEO
Mr Bryan McCormick, Senior Advisor

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Ms Melissa Ryan, Acting Deputy Secretary—Employment and Workforce
Ms Benedikte Jense, First Assistant Secretary—Employment Policy and Analytics
Ms Robyn Shannon, First Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia Provider Support
Ms Carmel O'Regan, Assistant Secretary—Employment Policy and Analytics
Ms Samantha Robertson, Assistant Secretary—Employment Services Programs Branch
Ms Deborah Brown, Acting Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia Inquiry Taskforce
Mr Casey Mills, Director—Targeted Employment Policy
Ms Melinda Tynan, Director—Workforce Australia Provider Support
Mr Niran Gunawardena, Director—Workforce Australia Inquiry Taskforce

Department of Social Services

Mr Matt Flavel, Deputy Secretary—Social Security Services Australia
Ms Jo Evans, Group Manager—Participation and Family Payments
Mr Ben Peoples, Branch Manager—Participation and Supplementary Payments

Services Australia

Mr Jonathon Thorpe, Acting Deputy CEO—Customer Service Design
Mr Eric Harper, Acting General Manager—Age Programmes

Wednesday 1 February 2023

Perth

Western Australia Council of Social Services

Ms Rachel Siewert, Deputy CEO

Anglicare WA

Mr Mark Glasson, CEO
Ms Claire Lucas, Director—Innovation and Strategy
Dr Shae Garwood, Manager—Research, Advocacy and Prevention

Women’s Health and Family Services

Ms Felicite Black, CEO
Ms Emma Morris, Executive Manager—Client Support Services

atWork Australia

Mr Hugh Reilly, Executive General Manger
Ms Natalie Fitzgerald, General Manager—Business Excellence

Training Alliance Group

Mr Bala Suppiah, Director
Ms Ellen Brady, ParentsNext Coordinator
Ms Madeline Sturgeon-Eustace, Engagement Officer—ParentsNext

Government of Western Australia

Mr Shayne Maines, Deputy Director General—Integrity and Reform, Department of Communities
Ms Vicki Kelly, Director—Education and Care Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Communities
Mrs Klair Bayley, Principal Midwifery Advisor—Office of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Department of Health
Ms Karen Ho, Director General, Department of Training and Workforce Development
Mr Brad Jolly, Executive Director—Service Delivery, Department of Training and Workforce Development

Tuesday 14 March 2023

Melbourne

Professor Jeff Borland, Private capacity

Professor Mark Considine, Private capacity

Dr Michael McGann, Private capacity

Associate Professor Siobhan O’Sullivan, Private capacity

Professor Gaby Ramia, Private capacity

Brotherhood of St Laurence

Dr Travers McLeod, Executive Director
Professor Shelley Mallett, Director—Social Policy and Research Centre

Centre for Policy Development

Ms Annabel Brown, Deputy CEO
Mr Clifford Eberly, Director—Resilient People and Places

University of Melbourne

Dr Michael McGann, Lecturer in Political Science, School of Social and Political Sciences

Per Capita

Ms Emma Dawson, Executive Director
Dr May Lam, Senior Fellow

National Employment Services Association

Ms Sally Sinclair, CEO
Ms Annette Gill, Principal Policy Advisor

Jobs Australia

Ms Debra Cerasa, CEO
Mr Bryan McCormick, Senior Advisor—Government and Policy

Government of Victoria

Dr Sharn Enzinger, Executive Director—Delivery, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Ms Laura Trengove, Executive Director—Employment Policy and Strategy, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

APM Employment Services

Mrs Karen Rainbow, CEO—Employment Services
Mr James Muller, General Manager

IntoWork

Mrs Nicole Mattsson, National Services Design and Integration Leader
Mr Steve Wyborn, CEO—IntoJobs

Jobfind Centres Australia

Mrs Karena Newland, CEO

Wednesday 17 May 2023

Canberra, and by videoconference

Australian Council of Social Service

Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO
Dr Simone Casey, Senior Advisor—Employment

Economic Justice Australia

Ms Catherine Eagle, Principal Solicitor—Welfare Rights and Advocacy Service
Ms Sarah Sacher, Law Reform Officer

National Indigenous Australians Agency

Ms Julie-Ann Guivarra, Deputy CEO—Policy and Programs
Mr Carl Binning, Group Manager—Economic Empowerment
Ms Kate Phipps, Branch Manager—Remote Employment Program
Mr Michael Blanchard, Branch Manager—Employment
Mr Ben O’Sullivan, Acting Branch Manager—Community Development Program

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Ms Benedikte Jensen, First Assistant Secretary— Employment Policy and Analytics
Ms Edwina Spanos, Acting First Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia Provider Support

Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organisations (Coalition of Peaks)

Mrs Muriel Bamblett, Committee Member

Settlement Council of Australia

Ms Sandra Elhelw Wright, CEO

Social Ventures Australia

Dr Lisa Fowkes, Director—Programs (Employment)
Mr Patrick Flynn, Director—Public Affairs

Social Enterprise Australia

Ms Jess Moore, CEO

Justice Reform Initiative

Mr Robert Tickner, Chair
Dr Melinda (Mindy) Sotiri, Executive Director

Mr Mark Hancock, Private capacity

Western Australian Association for Mental Health

Ms Taryn Harvey, CEO
Mrs Cassandra MacDonald, Sector Development Manager
Mr Colin Penter, Policy and Projects Officer

Friday 26 May 2023

Canberra, and by videoconference

Department of Social Services

Ms Robyn Shannon, Acting Deputy Secretary—Disability and Carers
Ms Jo Evans, Group Manager—Participation and Family Payments
Ms Katrina Chatham, Acting Group Manager—Disability Employment and Carers
Mr Ben Peoples, Branch Manager—Participation and Supplementary Payments

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Ms Melissa Ryan, First Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia for Individuals

National Self-Employment Association

Ms Diane Minnis, CEO
Mr Saviero (Sam) Donato, Board Member
Ms Sophia Amos, Board Member
Mr Adam Collison, Deputy Chair

Asuria People Services

Mr Con Kittos, Executive Chairman
Ms Nicole Grainger‑Marsh, CEO
Ms Alicea Shaw, Executive Director—Employment Services
Mr Matthew Smith, CEO—Australian Employment and Training Solutions

ABS Institute of Management

Mr Mark Van Lith, Managing Director
Mr Luke Van Lith, Operations Manager

Access Care Network Australia

Dr Ricki Smith, CEO

Australian Centre for Career Education

Ms Penne Dawe, CEO

Yilabara Solutions

Mr Matthew Clarke, CEO

Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation

Mr Joseph Grande, CEO
Mr Martin Sibosado, Board Member

Tuesday 6 June 2023

Brisbane

Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Mr Elijah Buol OAM, Chairperson
Ms Naome Rusera, Executive Officer

Multicultural Australia

Mrs Christine Castley, CEO
Mr Jason Olsson‑Seeto, Chief Development Officer
Ms Poppy Browne, Senior Manager—Employment, Youth and Community Development

Sarina Russo Job Access

Mrs Kathleen Newcombe, Group CEO
Mr Mark Berlese, Chief Operating Officer

yourtown

Mr Brendan Bourke, Head of Client Services
Dr Marion Byrne, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy

Workways Australia

Mr Kieren Kearney, CEO

Friday 16 June 2023

Canberra, and by videoconference

Associate Professor Jo Ingold (Dr Ingold), Private capacity

Australian Services Union

Mr Angus McFarland, Branch Secretary—NSW and ACT

Community and Public Sector Union

Mr Michael Tull, Assistant National Secretary

White Box Enterprises

Mr Luke Terry, CEO and Co-founder

Friday 11 August 2023

Canberra, and by videoconference

SEEK

Ms Kendra Banks, Managing Director—Australia and New Zealand
Ms Kadi Taylor, Head of Government Relations

Australian National University

Dr Ann Nevile, Honorary Associate Professor—Centre for Social Research and Methods

Business Council of Australia

Ms Wendy Black, Head of Policy

Australian Entrepreneurs Alliance

Mrs Wendy Perry, Chair and former Entrepreneurship Facilitator (Adeliade)
Ms Tara Diversi, Member and former Entrepreneurship Facilitator (Cairns)—Launch Y(E)P

Paul Ramsey Foundation

Ms Josie Khalil, Head of Employment
Mr Ben Gales, Chief Delivery Officer

Australian Youth Affairs Coalition

Ms Diana Amato, CEO
David, Volunteer
Fatima, Volunteer
Pia, Volunteer

Tuesday 19 September 2023

Canberra, and by videoconference

Australian Unemployed Workers' Union

Mr Jeremy Heywood, President
Dr David O'Halloran, Advocacy and Research Officer
Mr Jeremy Poxon, Officer
Geeta Jatania, ACT Member
Mr Ray Sutherland, ACT Member
Dr Sean Botha, NSW Member
Ren McSweeney, NSW Member

Antipoverty Centre

Ms Kristin O'Connell, Co‑coordinator—Research and Policy
Mr Jay Coonan, Co‑coordinator—Research and Policy

Per Capita

Dr May Lam, Senior Fellow

Australian Council of Social Services

Dr Peter Davidson, Principal Advisor

WISE Employment

Mr Matthew Lambelle, CEO

Social Traders Ltd

Mr Alex Hooke, Executive Director—Advocacy and Engagement

The Hon Dr Kay Patterson, Private capacity

COTA Australia

Mr Corey Irlam, Deputy CEO

Wednesday 20 September 2023

Canberra, and by videoconference

Brotherhood of St Laurence

Dr Travers McLeod, Executive Director
Ms Cara Nolan, Senior Advisor

Centre for Policy Development

Ms Annabel Brown, Deputy CEO

University of Melbourne

Dr Michael McGann, Lecturer in Political Science, School of Social and Political Sciences

Government of Victoria

Ms Lill Healy, Deputy Secretary—Skills and Employment, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Ms Laura Trengove, Executive Director—Strategy and Engagement, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

National Employment Services Association

Ms Sally Sinclair, CEO
Ms Annette Gill, Principal Policy Advisor

Jobs Australia

Mr Bryan McCormick, Senior Advisor—Government and Policy
Mrs Amanda Petts, Relationship Engagement Coordinator

Julian, Private capacity

Lysander, Private capacity

Lewis, Private capacity

Michael, Private capacity

Julie, Private capacity

Badryiah, Private capacity

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Ms Usha Narain, Acting Deputy Commissioner—Superannuation and Employer Obligations
Ms Larissa Evans, Assistant Commissioner—Data and Services

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Ms Melissa Ryan, First Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia for Individuals
Ms Miranda Lauman, First Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia for Business
Mr Alistair Beasley, Acting First Assistant Secretary—Evidence and Assurance
Ms Belinda Catelli, Assistant Secretary—Activities and Experience
Mr Alex Harvey, Acting Assistant Secretary - National Workforce Solutions
Dr Louise O'Rance, Assistant Secretary—Data Management and Reporting
Ms Deborah Brown, Acting Assistant Secretary—Workforce Australia Inquiry Taskforce
Ms Melissa Carney, Director—Digital Services
Mr Niran Gunawardena, Director—Workforce Australia Inquiry Taskforce

Jobs and Skills Australia

Mr David Turvey, First Assistant Secretary—Jobs and Skills Australia
Mr Cliff Bingham, Assistant Secretary—Labour Market Research and Analysis

Other meetings and site visits

Tuesday 6 December 2022 - Melbourne

Wednesday 7 December 2022 - Sydney

Monday 16 January 2023 - Regional New South Wales

Tuesday 17 January 2023 - Regional Victoria

Monday 30 January 2023 - Regional Western Australia

Tuesday 31 January 2023 - Perth

Friday 24 March 2023 - Adeliade

Monday 3 April 2023 - Melbourne, and by videoconference

Monday 17 April 2023 - Hobart and Regional Tasmania

Thursday 20 April 2023 - Melbourne

Monday 5 June 2023 - Regional Queensland

Tuesday 6 June 2023 - Brisbane

Tuesday 22 August 2023 - Sydney

Thursday 31 August 2023 - Darwin