An exploration of First Nations women’s leadership in shaping public policy within and beyond government, highlighting lived experience, research, and practice in driving systemic change, strengthening outcomes, and supporting future leaders.
The Crawford School of Public Policy is pleased to host the First Nations Women in Public Policy Lecture. This event explores the leadership of First Nations women in shaping public policy within and beyond government, highlighting lived experience and leadership in practice. In conversation, the three distinguished speakers will discuss how they have worked to define and strengthen policy outcomes, place cultural capability on the public policy agenda and, ultimately, help to drive systemic change. Drawing on their lived experience and applied leadership, the discussion also looks ahead to the opportunities for the next generation of First Nations women leaders, building on the path carved out by trailblazing Indigenous women to date.
Held in recognition of International Women's Day, this special event celebrates the leadership and contributions of First Nations women in shaping public policy within and beyond government.
Event Speakers
Justice Louise Taylor
Justice Louise Taylor was sworn in on 16 August 2023. An ANU Law and Arts graduate, admitted in 2001, she served as a senior prosecutor with the ACT and Commonwealth DPP and later as Deputy CEO of ACT Legal Aid. Appointed Magistrate and Coroner in 2018, she is a Kamilaroi woman and the first Aboriginal woman appointed to a superior court in Australia.
Catherine Liddle
Catherine Liddle is an Arrernte/Luritja woman from Central Australia and CEO of SNAICC since January 2021. A storyteller at heart, she champions the strengths and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. With senior leadership experience across community, government and media, she focuses on upholding children’s rights and driving meaningful reform.
Dr Lisa Conway
Dr Lisa Conway is a Yorta Yorta woman with 20 years in the APS and currently leads the First Nations Employment Policy and Programs Branch at the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. A Crawford School PhD graduate, her award-winning research examines institutional whiteness in the APS and proposes a model to strengthen cultural capability for First Nations peoples.
Julie-Ann Guivarra (moderator)
Julie-Ann Guivarra is CEO of the National Indigenous Australians Agency. Born in Cairns and of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, she joined NIAA in 2021 after senior roles at DFAT, including Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality and Ambassador to Spain. She has led Commonwealth policy and program coordination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Professor Janine O'Flynn
Professor Janine O’Flynn is Director of the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and an expert in public administration and management. She has advised governments globally on performance management and collaborative policy design. A Fellow of the US National Academy of Public Administration and IPAA, she is an award-winning researcher committed to improving how government works.
Dr Hayley Henderson
Dr Hayley Henderson is Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access and a Senior Lecturer at the Crawford School of Public Policy. Her research focuses on urban policy and collaborative governance. She is an ARC Early Career Industry Fellow, partnering with the City of Greater Dandenong on governance in superdiverse suburbs.
