3rd Annual Government Relations Summit 2008

9.10 Keynote Address: A Strategic Approach to Government Relations: We know Kevin08 but what is in store in 09 and 10?

Simon Banks, Canberra Director, Hawker Britton

Simon Banks is one of the most highly respected government relations, campaigning and strategic communications professionals of his generation.

Simon has served as Chief of Staff or Deputy Chief of Staff to three Federal Labor Leaders, including Kevin Rudd, and has been Federal Labor’s Director of Policy and a senior policy and media advisor to a number of Labor’s frontbench, both in government and opposition.

Simon also understands business, having worked in public affairs and strategic policy roles for Telstra, Toll Holdings and as a consultant. A lawyer by training, Simon has extensive campaign experience. He managed the highly successful Kevin07 campaign during the recent Federal election

9.50 The issues that will define the political landscape in the coming years  

• Some issues are known, some we can only speculate on

Geoff Allen, Founder, Allen Consulting Group

11.30 Panel session: Political realities –winners, losers and the change agenda

• Overview of the first twelve months of the Rudd Government
• What is the political map for the years ahead?
• A discussion of the issues impacting Australia; from local issues such as employment, health, infrastructure to global issues such as the impact of the US election, dividends from the mineral boom, and others
• What is the reform agenda?

Simon Banks, Canberra Director, Hawker Britton
Andrew Parker, Chairman, Parker & Partner
Colin Parks, Director, Gavin Anderson

1.40 – 2.30 Case study: using evidenced based research to inform Ministers  

• Case study details to be advised
• How to interpret research
• How to present your findings

Feyi Akindoyeni, Research Director, Gavin Anderson

1.40 – 2.30  24/7 Media knowledge

• All politicians are influenced by the media; if you know what your competitor’s messages and articles/stories are, you are better able to counter their influence
• Understand how to interpret trends in the media and track the success of your own campaigns
• Media knowledge, rather than media monitoring, in a 24/7 media drenched environment is now even more vital for every organization 

Kylie O’Reilly, Managing Director, Commercial, Australian Associated Press

2.30 - 3.20 How can you look at your issue differently and measure its impact on the national or international agenda?  How will this influence your approach and your messaging? 

• Legal opinion vs the court of public opinion
• There are always two (or more) sides to every issue ; how language can tell a better – or less worse – story

Jacquelynne Willcox, Director, Government Relations & Public Affairs, Hill & Knowlton Australia   

2.30 - 3.20 The growing power of e-Lobbying

• The rise of online media has led to e-Government, e-Petitions and now the rise of e-Lobbying. In this presentation, Ross looks at a powerful and successful case studies from Europe, UK, USA and Australia including VOTE.com, YouGov and many more
• How are online lobbyists putting pressure on Governments at all levels (Local, State and Federal)?
• Can you tell the difference between grass roots community groups and “astro-turf” online front groups?

Ross Monaghan, Deakin University

11.30 – 12.20 Improving the political effectiveness of social enterprises

Professor Peter Shergold AC, Chief Executive, Centre for Social Impact, The University of New South Wales