The 2026 Annual Castan Centre for Human Rights Law Conference brought together voices across law, government, advocacy and First Nations leadership for a day framed by a common challenge: how to move from recognition and reform to meaningful action.

Speakers at a glance

Keynote Address

Sue-Anne Hunter
National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

20th Anniversary of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities

Dr Farinaz Zamani
Manager, Human Rights Education, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

Dan Nicholson
Victorian Ombudsman’s Office

Caitlin Reiger
Human Rights Law Centre

Professor Julie Debeljak (Chair)
Monash University

The Experience of Australian Judges on International Courts

The Hon. Lex Lasry AM KC
Acting Justice, Supreme Court of the Northern Territory

Kevin Yam
Former Hong Kong Lawyer

Associate Professor Rebecca Ananian-Welsh
University of Queensland

Sara Kowal (Chair)
Director of Eleos Justice, Monash University

Emerging Treaty Law in Victoria

Meriki Onus
Co-Chair, Gellung Warl

The Hon. Kenneth Hayne AC KC

Bridgid Cowling
Special Counsel, Gellung Warl

Karri Walker
Principal Lawyer - Treaty, Gellung Warl

Professor Melissa Castan (Chair)
Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor
Monash University

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OBLIGATIONS (CPD)

Conference attendance may be credited towards CPD requirements. See the Law Institute of Victoria's For Lawyers website for further information. Conference participants will be able to request a digital Certificate of Attendance during their registration.

Hugh de Kretser, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, presenting the Keynote Address at the 2025 Conference.

CONFERENCE VENUE

Monash College, 750 Collins Street, Melbourne

CONTACT US

If you have any queries about the Conference or would like to become a Sponsor, please email castan.centre@monash.edu.

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