Leadership, regulation and trust in the age of misinformation
Description
2026 Arthur Cobbold Lecture
This year’s Arthur Cobbold Lecture will be delivered by Professor Tony Lawler, Deputy Secretary of the Health Products Regulation Group and Head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration at the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
A 1995 alumnus of the University of Tasmania School of Medicine, Tony is a highly respected emergency physician, medical administrator and senior public servant. He brings extensive experience across frontline clinical care, health system leadership and public policy. Tony previously served as Chief Medical Officer for Tasmania, where he played a central role in guiding the state’s COVID-19 health and hospital response during a period of unprecedented challenge.
In this lecture, Tony will reflect on his leadership journey and how it has shaped his approach to some of the most pressing challenges facing Australia’s health system today, including managing risk in clinical settings, regulating health products, and maintaining public trust in an era of growing mis- and disinformation.
Drawing on decades of frontline and executive experience, Tony will offer insights into how health systems can balance evidence, ethics and the public interest in an increasingly complex and contested policy environment.
Ideas worth sharing about issues that matter
Island of Ideas invites all Tasmanians to join our series of free public talks designed to ignite conversation and curiosity across our community. Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the program brings together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and community voices to discuss the issues that matter.
Stay connected by subscribing to our mailing list for updates or visit Island of Ideas to watch past talks and register for upcoming events.
The Experts
Professor Tony Lawler, Deputy Secretary, Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Professor Tony Lawler is the Deputy Secretary of the Health Products Regulation Group (HPRG) at the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. HPRG, which includes the Therapeutic Goods Administration, works to safeguard and enhance the health of all Australians through effective, timely and risk-proportionate regulation of therapeutic goods, and the control of drug imports, exports and production. He is also a Champion of the Department’s Health Pride Network. Prior to joining the Department in June 2023, Tony was the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Secretary- Clinical Quality, Regulation and Accreditation with the Tasmanian Department of Health. This role included providing leadership to health professionals, system-wide clinical governance oversight, and the regulation of private health service establishments. Since graduating from the University of Tasmania School of Medicine in 1995, Tony has worked in the health system as a Specialist Emergency Physician, Specialist Medical Administrator, and senior health public servant for almost 30 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tony was the Tasmanian Health Service Emergency Operations Commander. Tony has previously held positions as Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, President of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, a member of the Board of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Council of the National Health and Medical Research Council, and Deputy Head of the Tasmanian School of Medicine. Tony holds Professorial appointments at the University of Tasmania and the Australian National University.
Facilitated by Professor Ruth Kearon, Head of School, Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania
Professor Ruth Kearon is the Head of the Tasmanian School of Medicine. Ruth’s background is in Medical Administration and General Practice and she has a passion for building a medical workforce for the current and future needs of our communities. The Tasmanian School of Medicine administers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in medicine, medical research and public health. The School’s activities provide unique training opportunities for health care providers, including a range of professional development courses for practitioners in remote and extreme environments.
Event Schedule
- 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Complimentary refreshments available on arrival
Arrive early and enjoy complimentary refreshments before the talk commences. There is free parking, including accessible spaces, available at the venue. Please bring a copy of your printed or electronic ticket to scan on arrival.
- 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Island of Ideas talk
Seating is first come, first served. The event will be live streamed and recorded.
- 7:00 am - 7:30 pm
Moderated audience Q&A
You are invited to participate in a Q&A directly following the talk.
FAQs
- I can no longer attend in person, can I attend online?
Island of Ideas talks are available to attend either in person or online!
If you would prefer to watch the event live online via Zoom, please register here.
Alternatively, a YouTube livestream will also be available (Q&A is available only through Zoom).
- How can I find out more about Island of ideas events?
Want to learn more about the University of Tasmania's Island of Ideas public talks series?
Catch-up on past events, register for upcoming talks or get in touch with us via our Island of Ideas webpage or subscribe to our mailing list for Island of Ideas updates.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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