Mark International Women’s Day 2019 by joining the Human Rights Law Centre and the Women’s Legal Service NSW for a fascinating panel discussion examining threats to women’s reproductive rights in Australia.
Our expert panel will discuss current barriers to women's reproductive freedom including the criminalisation of abortion, reproductive coercion and challenges to accessing quality reproductive healthcare in regional and remote areas.
Date: Tuesday 5 March
Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Venue: DLA Piper, Level 22, 1 Martin Place, Sydney
Tickets: $10 per ticket.
Click here to register for tickets.
Panel speakers:
Dr Kerryn Phelps AM MP, Federal Member for Wentworth
Dr Kerryn Phelps AM is the Independent Member for the federal seat of Wentworth, doctor, health & civil rights advocate, past president of the Australian Medical Association, City of Sydney Councillor, author and mother of three. Dr Phelps was the first woman to be elected to the seat of Wentworth in October 2018 at a by-election following the resignation of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, running on a centre-right platform best described as economically conservative and socially progressive. A popular local GP in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs who has founded and operated several multidisciplinary medical practices, as AMA President Dr Phelps was well-known for working with the then-Howard Government to solve the looming medical indemnity crisis and establishing report cards for asylum seeker and indigenous health. Dr Phelps is a Conjoint Professor at the National Institute of Complementary Medicine at Western Sydney University, an Ambassador for Barnardo’s and the Pinnacle Foundation and a Patron of ACON’s Pride in Health+Wellbeing program and “Wear It Purple”, supporting LGBTQI youth.
Kate Eastman SC, Barrister at New Chambers
Kate Eastman SC has a human rights, discrimination, employment and public law practice. She is chair of the Australian Bar Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the chair of NSW Bar Association’s Diversity and Equality Committee and chair of the Law Council of Australia’s Equal Opportunity Committee. Before coming to the Bar in 1998, Kate was a Senior Legal Officer with the Australian Human Rights Commission and worked as solicitor with Allens. She was appointed silk in 2012 and in 2017, she was awarded the Change Champion Award, by Women Lawyers Association (NSW).
Mel Briggs, Project Officer for Birthing on Country, Waminda - South Coast Women's Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation
Mel is a Dharawal and Gumbangirr descendant and lives on Wandandian country on the New South Wales south coast. She is a mother of two beautiful children and works full time as a midwife at the South Coast Women’s Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation Waminda. She’s studying a Master of Primary Maternity Care at Griffith University and also works part-time as the Project Officer for Birthing on Country Demonstration site development and implementation in Nowra. Mel is Co-Chair of the National Strategic Birthing on Country committee and an active member of the Australian College of Midwives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander committee.
Ann Brassil, CEO of Family Planning NSW
Ann is CEO of Family Planning NSW, the leading Australian NGO provider of reproductive and sexual health services, professional education and research, including an international development program covering the Pacific. Ann is passionate about reproductive rights, including access for all to evidence-based, high quality service delivery through early intervention, primary and integrated care and in all facets of clinical care. She has prominent Board positions covering hospitals, community health, children and families, as well as a range of University affiliations. Ann is a Clinical Psychologist with significant experience in clinical, education, research, management and strategy in urban, rural and international development settings.
This event is kindly hosted by DLA Piper.
Please email Rachel Richmond if you have any special requirements or questions about this event.
We hope to see you there.
Photo credit: Shari Birse