We’re in the process of bringing together the best of the best for the 2026 agenda. Be the first to hear about the latest updates by registering your interest on the link below as Public Sector Comms Week 2026 returns bigger & better with a fresh new look and dynamic line up of local and international speakers in 2026.
Foundations of trust, clarity and preparedness across internal, external and digital communication.
The evolving role of government communications, strategies for doing more with less and how to maintain public trust during turbulent times.
Streams
Streams A
Building engaged and future-ready internal communications teams
Streams B
Strengthening public trust and credibility through strategic external communications
Streams C
Driving impact and engagement through digital tools, and social media
A look at emerging challenges and how we can tackle them.
Alignment, inclusion and future capability across the whole comms team.
Aligning internal and external communications, unifying messaging across dispersed teams, and understanding ethical AI.
Streams
Streams A
Building engaged and future-ready internal communications teams
Streams B
Strengthening public trust and credibility through strategic external communications
Streams C
Driving impact and engagement through digital tools, and social media
A look to the future of Public Sector Communications; emerging trends and technologies and preparing teams to adapt and thrive amid evolving public expectations.
- 14 - 16 May 2025
- Rex Hotel, Canberra
- 14 - 16 May 2025
- Rex Hotel, Canberra
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7:30 Registration opens
8:45 Akolade welcome speech
8:50 Welcome to country
Aunty Serena Williams
Ngunnawal Elder
8:55 Opening remarks from the Chair
Michele Barry
Deputy Chair
IAP2 Australasia
9:00 Opening keynote: Developing effective communication strategies across diverse Channels to build public trust
- Proven strategies for maintaining trust in the digital age
- Practical approaches to designing targeted campaigns that educate and empower communities to identify credible information and take action
- Insights into understanding and meeting public expectations during everyday weather and extreme weather events to ensure impactful communication
- How to leverage diverse communication channels to effectively engage with and support the needs of Australians
Timothy Mclean
General Manager, Communications
Bureau of Meteorology
9:40 GBI’s crisis communications playbook: Strategies for navigating law enforcement critical incidents
- Case study of GBI real’s life crisis response
- Developing a proactive crisis communications plan before incidents occur
- Establishing protocols for rapid information dissemination
- Harnessing social media effectively in providing timely updates to keep the public informed
- Lessons learned from real-world critical incidents to improve future preparedness
Nelly Miles 
Director of Public & Governmental Affairs
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
10:20 Comms leaders panel: How government communicators will drive public communications forward
- Adapting to ongoing evolution: Exploring how the public communications function has evolved in response to current trends, and anticipate the disruptions likely to shape the landscape in 2025
- Significant changes observed in the function’s evolution, key challenges ahead, emerging opportunities, and the strategies and tools needed to address them effectively
- Communicating in an evolving and fast paced digital age
Moderator:
Michele Barry
Deputy Chair
IAP2 Australasia
Panellists:
Cassandra Casey
General Manager Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Lorie Helliwell
Head of Group Communications
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Timothy McLean
General Manager, Communications
Bureau of Meteorology
A
Adele Scandrett
Senior Communications Advisor | Treasurer
Department of Finance | IABC Canberra
11:30 Case study: Navigating the growing frequency and complexity of organisational change and fostering a supported workforce
- Practical frameworks and tools
- Tackling talent shortages by strengthening employee engagement and wellbeing
Sarah Leong
Change and Communications Manager
Australian Federal Police
12:00 Case study: Building from scratch: How strategic communication and an engaged team created a strong brand and enhanced retention and recruitment
- The importance of branding in public
sector to build trust, credibility, and
alignment with new stakeholders - Using creative approaches, including the unexpected, to engage employees, attract talent, and cut through a noisy and competitive market
- Maximising organisational impact through using authenticity, internal messaging, staff experiences and the element of surprise
- Aligning internal messaging with organisational goals to build discipline, reduce complexity and build confidence in staff
Felicity Spurrett
Assistant Director, Communications and
Governance, Strategic Communications
Australian Safeguards and
Non-Proliferation Office
12:30 Partner session: The Future of internal comms in the Australian Public Sector: Measuring and maximising impact
- Global trends & their Impact on public sector comms – Learn how emerging trends like AI, personalisation, and mobile-first strategies are shaping workplace communication and what they mean for government agencies
- Reaching every employee: Multi channel strategies – explore how to effectively engage both frontline and desk-based workers through the right mix of digital and offline channels.
- Proving impact and securing leadership buy in– Discover how to use data, analytics, and employee insights to refine strategies, demonstrate value, and gain executive support for internal communications
Ramak Salamat
Vice President
Staffbase APJ
2:00 Panel discussion: Positioning the communications department as a strategic asset within your organisation
- Strengthening collaboration between communications teams and executive leadership to enhance strategic
decision-making - Aligning communication efforts with leadership priorities to ensure a cohesive organisational vision and measurable outcomes
Moderator:
Ramak Salamat
Vice President
Staffbase APJ
Panellist:
Holly Jane Badlor
Assistant Director, Strategy
and Engagement – Digital Atlas
of Australia,
Geoscience Australia
Felicity Spurrett
Assistant Director, Communications and
Governance, Strategic Communications
Australian Safeguards and
Non-Proliferation Office
Sadie Tileray
Director, Communications and Engagement
Albury Wodonga Health
2:30 Case study: Building a proactive, high-performing communications team that delivers organisational impact and fosters innovation
- Building a strong team dynamic with clear roles and responsibilities.
- Utilising automation tools for repetitive tasks, allowing teams to focus on creative and strategic initiatives
- Encouraging a learning mindset to embrace failure as a stepping stone to innovation
Sadie Tilleray
Director, Communications
and Engagement
Albury Wodonga Health
B
Ross Monaghan
Lecturer – School of Communication & Creative Arts
Deakin University
11:30 Case study: Transforming data into impactful communication: The live framework and tourism forecasts
- Practical strategies for crafting engaging and accessible data presentations tailored to diverse audiences
- Learning methods for transforming raw
data into compelling narratives understand the importance of audience-specific communication - Exploring how Austrade effectively shares data insights through Excel tables, published reports accessible formats, webinars, and LinkedIn posts
Garrett Tyler-Parker
Director Analysis & Insights
Austrade
12:00 Case study: Delivering high-impact communication campaigns with limited resources while effectively meeting public and political expectations
- Effectively targeting your audiences through organic and other low cost strategies
- Focusing on outcomes that provide the greatest value for limited resources
- Leveraging low-cost digital channels
- Using feedback mechanisms to gauge
public and political sentiment and adapt
accordingly
Nicole Castillo
Community Communication
and Engagement Officer
Blacktown City Council
12:30 Case study: Realising collective impact through data-driven narrative, lived experience and stakeholder engagement
- Understanding impact beyond tangible deliverables
- Emphasising the importance of advocacy, stakeholder engagement and long-term influence over direct service delivery
- Showcasing the role of thought leadership, policy influence and stakeholder engagement in creating
meaningful impact - Leveraging data as the primary foundation of building a narrative
Erin Glapiak
A/ Executive Director, Strategy and Impact
Queensland Family and Child
Commission
2:00 Panel discussion: Effective governance of public communication
- Establishing clear mandates and guidelines that define the strategic role of communication function within government while protecting it from politicisation
- Developing proactive and standardised public communication strategies to drive consistency and impact
- Ensuring that all communications are transparent, with clear objectives and outcomes
Moderator:
Ross Monaghan
Lecturer – School of Communication & Creative Arts
Deakin University
Panellists:
Nicole Castillo
Community Communication and Engagement Officer
Blacktown City Council
Erin Glapiak
A/ Executive Director, Strategy and Impact
Queensland Family and Child Commission
2:30 Case study: Building trust and fostering engagement with multicultural communities through inclusive communication strategies
- Tailoring messaging to respect diverse cultural values, traditions, and experiences
- Amplifying diverse voices, including Indigenous and multicultural leaders, in public discussions and decision-making processes
- Partnering with local leaders, organisations, and media outlets to ensure authentic and effective outreach
- Encouraging open communication to better understand the needs and concerns of multicultural communities
Cassandra Casey
General Manager Communications
& Stakeholder Engagement
Australian Nuclear Science
and Technology
C
Rowena Morais
Editor, Communications and Content Specialist
President
IABC Canberra Chapter
11:30 Case study: Credibility in crisis: Crafting your next social media strategy
- How social media influences public opinion, political discourse, and societal trends, shaping individual and collective
behaviour - Address the rise of misinformation and its consequences on public trust, civic engagement, and the spread of false narratives
- Tackling potential policies and regulations to balance free expression with accountability, protecting individuals and society from harmful content
- Promoting digital literacy in empowering individuals to critically engage with social media and navigate its challenges responsibly
Mitchell Dye
Coordinator External Corporate
Communications
City of Greater Geelong
12:00 Case study: Keeping it reel: Hooking audiences with fin-tastic content
Diving into Fisheries WA strategy for:
- Creating effective and impactful short-form content in public communications strategy
- Leveraging current viral trends to enhance your agency’s social media presence and reach a wider audience
- Using proven tools, strategies, and best practices to craft content that resonates with audiences and drives interaction
Emily Farmer
Social Media Adviser
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
12:30 Case study: Developing creative and funny content for government communications
- Learning when humour is appropriate for government agencies to enhance engagement without compromising
professionalism. - CSIRO’s proven methods for creating effective and funny content
- Understanding how humour can make serious topics more relatable and memorable
- Exploring the role of humour in building public and internal trust
Tess Corkish
Social Media Advisor
CSIRO
2:00 Panel discussion : Turning social media insights into actionable strategies for success
- Conducting a comprehensive audit on your digital channels and competitors’ presence to uncover valuable insights
- Analysing audit data and create clear,actionable reports that highlight key findings and opportunities
- Presenting audit results and recommendations in a way that aligns and engages key stakeholders with your team’s strategic vision
- Integrating audit findings into a cohesive marketing strategy that delivers measurable results
Moderator:
Rowena Morais
Editor, Communications and Content Specialist
President
IABC Canberra Chapter
Panellists:
Mitchell Dye
Coordinator External Corporate
Communications
City of Greater Geelong
Emily Farmer
Social Media Adviser
Department of Primary Industries
and Regional Development
2:30 International case study: Leveraging diverse social media platforms to enhance social growth and impact
- Building strong, sustained engagement with audiences across multiple communication channels
- Having a cohesive and consistent message across all channels, tailored to each platform’s strengths
- Continuously track engagement metrics across all channels
Cesar Caballero
Social Media Coordinator
Youth Transportation Safety
Program
Hide
3:30 Interactive roundtables
Top AI tools and use cases for social media
Facilitator:
Emma-Jane Toscan
Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications
Austrade
Video best practices: Content creation for reels
Facilitator:
Emily Farmer
Social Media Adviser
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Redefining the role of public communication in an evolving information ecosystem
Facilitator:
Ross Monaghan
Lecturer – School of Communication & Creative Arts
Deakin University
Effective use of public communication: Key governance pillars
Facilitator:
Michele Barry
Deputy Chair
IAP2 Australasia
Evidence-based and data-driven public communication
Facilitator:
Darren Wang
Analyst, Digital Performance Communications & Marketing Division
Austrade
Strategies in communicating in an evolving and fast-paced digital age
Facilitator:
Rowena Morais
Editor, Communications and Content Specialist President
IABC Canberra Chapter
4:00 Unifying complex digital journey for measurable impact and actionable insights
- Develop and implement a comprehensive user journey and a robust footprint tracking framework
- Build powerful reporting dashboards to automate your analytics process
- Empower all teams with the right data and insights for efficiency and innovation
Daniel Wang
Analyst, Digital Performance Communications & Marketing Division
Austrade
4:30 End of Conference Day One
5:00 Networking Drinks
Join us at the end of day one for cocktails and the opportunity to network with your peers, speakers and sponsors.
7:00 Networking dinner
Join us for an exclusive Networking Dinner on 14th May from 7 PM at The Boat House Canberra and end your day at the Summit with a fine dining experience alongside your peers. Nestled along the scenic banks of Lake Burley Griffin, The Boat House offers more than just a meal it’s a culinary journey in an unforgettable setting.
Seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so reserve your spot now to secure this premier networking opportunity!
8:00 Registration opens
8:45 Opening remarks from the Chair
Ross Monaghan
Lecturer – School of Communication & Creative Arts
Deakin University
9:00 Opening keynote : Promoting partnership and transparency with the public
- The importance of government being open and relationship-driven with public communications
- Creating meaningful two way engagement through an effective multi-channel approach
- Giving the public a chance to see their feedback reflected in design and delivery to boost stakeholder satisfaction
Janine Bennett
Assistant Secretary, Engagement Lead – Digital Business and Sector Engagement, Experience
Department of Health and Aged Care
9:30 Why government content often falls short—And how to fix it
- Developing a content strategy that satisfies internal stakeholders while actually engaging the community
- Navigating the challenges of “design by committee” and maintaining creative control
- Unlocking your team’s creative potential to produce compelling content
- Managing risk and approvals without stifling innovation
Kendall Masters
Director, Channels and Content
Australian Renewable Energy Agency
10:00 Panel discussion: Delivering integrated, multimodal communication campaigns using social media, digital and emerging communication practices
- Leveraging social media, digital platforms, and emerging communication practices for impactful campaigns
- Incorporating trends such as AI, chatbots, and interactive content into campaign strategies
- Ensuring a unified message and consistent brand voice across multiple communication channels
- Tailoring strategies to diverse audience segments while maintaining the integrity of the campaign’s core message
Moderator:
Ross Monaghan
Lecturer – School of Communication & Creative Arts
Deakin University
Panellists:
Lisa Maksimovic
Director, Communications
Suburban Rail Loop Authority
Kendall Masters
Director, Channels and Content
Australian Renewable Energy Agency
10:30 Making communication inclusive for all stakeholders
- Many stakeholders have diverse communication needs, often creating barriers in traditional government engagement
- Inclusive strategies designed for autistic individuals can also benefit CALD communities, the elderly, and people with intellectual disabilities
- Both the language used and the methods of communication play a crucial role in ensuring accessibility and effectiveness
Emma Goodall
Director Strategic Translational Research
Department of Premier and Cabinet
A
Ross Monaghan
Lecturer – School of Communication & Creative Arts
Deakin University
11:30 Case study: Communicating content in a complex political and social environment
- Ensuring transparent, accurate communication about nuclear technologies while maintaining neutrality
- Addressing the complexities of updating both new and legacy content in response to political shifts
- The importance of consulting with multiple stakeholder groups to ensure
- The benefits of maintaining a dynamic, responsive communication strategy in a rapidly changing political landscape accurate, well-rounded messaging
Susan Bogle
Senior Manager, Science Communications
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
12:00 Partner session: Short on time, but long on content? Strategies for turning technical text into compelling communications
- Creating impactful comms through three non-negotiables
- Preventing crunch time through better planning for writers
- Increasing buy-in through a rationale for clear communication
Rachel Bastow
Head of Client Solutions
Plain English Foundation
12:30 Case study: Breaking down silos: Amplifying reach and impact through cross-agency collaboration
- Building partner collaboration to achieve shared goals and drive
engagement - Ensuring aligned, consistent messaging across agencies for
maximum impact - Strategic cross-promotion and direct engagement for greater
reach - Leveraging partner and user-generated content to amplify your
message and promote your vision
Holly Jane Badior
Assistant Director, Strategyand Engagement
Digital Atlas of Australia
Geoscience Australia
2:00 Panel discussion: Purpose driven storytelling: Crafting your authentic narratives with impact
- Understanding how your agency’s mission and values translate into a compelling purpose that resonates with diverse stakeholders
- Explore how government initiatives, such as environmental
sustainability and social equity, can align with authentic storytelling to drive community engagement - Fostering public trust by ensuring government actions and policies reflect stated values and priorities
- Proven approaches to crafting and sharing sustainability and
policy success stories, emphasising measurable outcomes and
societal benefits
Emma-Jane Toscan
Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications
Austrade
Panellists:
Sharon Kalina
Sharon Kalina, Director, Communications and Engagement
Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission
Mark Pallot
Corporate Communications Manager
NSW Environment Protection Authority
2:30 The power of public communication to elevate Australia's nation brand for global standing
- How effective public communication strengthens Australia’s nation brand and drives international trust and investment
- Best practices for government and businesses to align communication efforts with the nation brand to boost global influence
- Key approaches to integrating nation branding into public engagement strategies and accessing available support
Emma-Jane Toscan
Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications
Austrade
B
Mitchell Dye
Coordinator External Corporate Communications
City of Greater Geelong
11:30 International case study : Harnessing social media effectively during an emergency
- Controlling crisis communication through social media channels to get messages across to your community fast
- Using social listening tools to track conversations and gather insights about public concerns, providing real time situational awareness
- Empowering communities to be more proactive in crisis situations through training, outreach, and awareness campaigns
Scott Thomsen
Director of Communications
and Public Affairs
Ventura County Fire Department
12:00 Case study: Engaging with the community in a toxic social media landscape
- Developing and implementing a robust reputation management strategy to enhance your social media content
- Building trust with the public and internal teams through a consistent, value-driven tone that fosters engagement
- Achieving key communication objectives by adapting tone, strategy and means of communication to suit different contexts and audiences effectively
James Milsom
Acting Director – Media and Public Affairs
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
12:30 Case study : Communicating for impact in a cluttered online environment
- Humanising your brand to build genuine connections with your audiences
- Using emotive imagery and storytelling tactics to engage the public
Sophie Winter
Social Media Manager
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
2:00 The importance of nurturing a social media audience, and how to grow it organically
Jason Kempen
Assistant Director, Social Media
Australian Digital Health Agency
2:30 Panel discussion : Developing effective paid social media campaigns to drive ROI and brand growth
- Developing a comprehensive approach to managing paid communications that ensures cost – effectiveness, transparency, and alignment with their broader public engagement objectives
- Exploring cost-effective strategies for optimising paid campaigns, including the use of digital channels and data-driven targeting
- Targeting the right audience
Mitchell Dye
Coordinator External Corporate Communications
City of Greater Geelong
Sophie Winter
Social Media Manager
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Rochelle Burr
Digital Communications Officer
Blacktown City Council
3:30 Case study: Telling your organisation’s story in non-traditional ways
- Creating interactive content to reach and engage your audience
- Highlight behind-the-scenes content: Share day-to-day operations or team stories to humanise your agency
- Incorporating user-generated content: Encourage your audience to share their experiences and testimonials for organic engagement.
- Collaborating with influencers: Partner with relatable and trusted voices to amplify your message
Lisa Maksimovic
Director, Communications
Suburban Rail Loop Authority
4:00 End of Public Sector Comms Week 2025
9:00 - 12:00 Workshop A : Social Media Analytics: Metrics, Sentiment Analysis & Reporting
In this workshop, learn how to elevate your social media strategy by mastering the key elements of analytics, sentiment analysis, and reporting. Learn the techniques to engage and connect meaningfully with your audience while driving measurable success. Whether you’re looking to refine your existing strategy or build a stronger foundation, this session will equip you with the tools and insights needed to create campaigns that resonate and deliver results.
By attending the workshop, you’ll learn:
- Creating impactful campaigns:The tips and techniques of creating impactful campaigns that resonate with your audience
- Balancing creativity with strategic planning to manage social accounts like a seasoned professional
- Building a solid foundation for managing social accounts that resonate with your audience
- Crafting endless relevant content ideas and establish clear content pillars to shape your strategy
- Defining and aligning your social media goals to ensure your efforts contribute to broader organizational success
- Understanding how clear workflows and processes can simplify your work and make managing social media more enjoyable
Ben Shute
Social, Digital & Content Business Strategy Consultant
Ben Shute Consulting
Amber Hope
Marketing Consultant
Kinship Digital
1:00 - 4:00 Workshop B : Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation in Today’s Digital Era
As misinformation and disinformation spread rapidly across digital platforms, government communications are crucial in safeguarding public trust and ensuring accurate information is shared. This session will focus on effective strategies for governments to combat false narratives, enhance transparency, and engage citizens meaningfully. By using proactive communication tactics, leveraging technology, and partnering with trusted media, governments can maintain the integrity of public information in the digital era.
- Understanding the role of public communicators in fostering public trust and counteracting misinformation and false narratives
- Prioritising open, accurate, and timely communication to reduce the potential for misinformation
- Building partnerships with credible media and fact-checking organisations to verify information before it reaches the public
- Leveraging AI tools and automated systems to identify and combat disinformation in real time, ensuring quick responses
- Strengthening public trust by being consistently transparent, responsive, and reliable in communications
- Encourage and support digital literacy initiatives to empower citizens to critically evaluate the information they encounter online
Ben Shute
Social, Digital & Content Business Strategy Consultant
Ben Shute Consulting