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Diversity Council Australia and
MLC Life Insurance Annual Diversity Debate
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Is backlash good for diversity and inclusion?

It’s time again for the annual Diversity Council Australia debate. In 2019, DCA and MLC Life Insurance are delighted to invite you to the stellar event moderated by Tony Jones, one of the ABC's most respected journalists and host of ABC TV's Q&A.

Debate moderator Tony Jones

Anyone agitating for change – especially D&I professionals in the workplace – would be no stranger to backlash. But is a strong negative reaction such a bad thing? Could it mean people are listening and might change their minds? And is it inevitable if you want to challenge the status quo?

On the flip side, does backlash mean people don’t agree and will never get on board? Does it mean that you’re going about it the wrong way? And can it come with too much personal cost for those trying to achieve it?

So is backlash a force for good or evil? A forerunner for change or a sign of defeat? That is the question we tackle at this year’s Debate.

 

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DCA’s Debate sells out quickly so book now to avoid disappointment!

Our panellists include:

FOR THE AFFIRMATIVE -

‘Backlash IS good for D&I’

Head and shoulders photo of Jan Fran

Jan Fran
Journalist and TV Presenter

Jan Fran is best known for her work on The Feed, Medicine or Myth, and The Project. She has appeared on Q&A, ABC Breakfast, Studio 10, Paul Murray Live, The Latest, The Today Show, The Drum and Triple J’s Hack. Her strong reporting on women’s issues earned her a 2018 Walkley nomination for Women’s Leadership in Media.

Read Jan's full biography

Photo of David Hackett, Chief Executive Officer, MLC Life Insurance

David Hackett
Chief Executive Officer, MLC Life Insurance

David’s career spans 30 years in the finance industry including a number of major global and investment banks. He became CEO and Executive Director of MLC Limited in 2016, and before that was Executive General Manager Insurance for NAB’s wealth management business.

Read David's full biography

Head and shoulders photo of Kirsty Webeck

Kirsty Webeck
Comedian

Kirsty is one of the most in demand comedians in Australia. In six years, she’s gone from doing her first five minute set to performing on some of the biggest stages across the country. She’s also a regular guest on ABC radio and performed on The ABC’s ‘Tonightly with Tom Ballard.”

Read Kirsty's full biography

FOR THE NEGATIVE -

‘Backlash IS NOT good for D&I’

Chas Licciardello photo

Chas Licciardello
Comedian, The Chaser

Chas has produced, written and appeared in such TV shows as The Chaser's War on Everything, The Checkout, The Hamster Wheel, and a series of election specials. He has also sold mobile phones and edited a local newspaper - occupations that we note to prove that he did actually once hold a real job.

Read Chas' full biography

Jackie Huggins photo

Jackie Huggins AM
Historian and Author

Jackie is a Bidjara (central Queensland) and Birri-Gubba Juru (North Queensland) woman who has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs for over thirty years. She is a celebrated historian and author who has documented the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout the decades.

Read Jackie's full biography

Chris Varney
MD and Chief Enabling Officer, I CAN Network

Growing up with Asperger’s, Chris was inspired to start I CAN from the support his family, schools and mentors gave him. Since it’s inception, the I CAN Network has mentored 1,052 Autistic kids, teenagers and adults nationwide through schools, TAFEs, workplaces, camps and online programs.

Read Chris' full biography

Major sponsors
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Supporting sponsors
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Associate sponsors
Hall & Wilcox IPA logo Doltone House

When: Tuesday 29 October 2019

Time: 6.00pm to 10.00pm (AEDT)

Where: Doltone House Darling Island, Ground Floor, 48 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont, Sydney

Includes: Pre-dinner canapés and drinks followed by two course dinner during the Debate

Dress: Corporate attire

Cost for DCA member organisations:

  • $300 incl. GST per person or
  • $2,900 incl. GST for a table of 10 guests

Cost for non-member organisations:

  • $350 incl. GST per person or
  • $3,400 incl. GST for a table of 10 guests
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© 2022 Diversity Council Australia

Arrangements for Tony Jones were made through Celebrity Speakers www.celebrityspeakers.com.au