Anika Legal's Housing Justice Forum

Welcome to Anika Legal’s Housing Justice Forum—an annual gathering of leaders and innovators addressing Australia's most debated issue: housing. This year's speaker lineup features influential voices from politics, government, legal, and community sectors.  

Co-hosted by Anika Legal and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, we invite you to join us for a conversation about Australia’s housing crisis, and the bold actions needed to ensure every renter can thrive in a safe, secure, and affordable home.

Cost: Free

Keynote speaker

Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Victoria
Gabrielle Williams is the Minister for Government Services, Consumer Affairs, and Public & Active Transport. Gabrielle is a passionate advocate for equity and social inclusion and is proud to be a member of Victoria’s first ever gender-equal cabinet. She was appointed to the Cabinet in 2018, having previously served as a Parliamentary Secretary, and proudly represents her local community as the Member for Dandenong.

Panellists:

Gerard Brody, Chairperson at Essential Services Commission, Victoria
A leading consumer rights lawyer, Gerard has deep consumer policy, regulatory and legal experience, and a longstanding passion for improving the consumer experience. Gerard is a former CEO of the Consumer Action Law Centre, an independent, not-for-profit consumer organisation. Prior to taking up this role, Gerard served as Chair of both Community Legal Centres Australia and the Consumers’ Federation of Australia and has also served as a director for the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.

Heather Holst, Commissioner for Residential Tenancies, Victoria
Heather is an expert in tenancy, homelessness and affordable housing policy with experience across service delivery, organisational management, policy development and research. Prior to her role as the Commissioner for Residential Tenancies, Heather was the Deputy CEO at Launch Housing after working for many years in the community sector.

Jacob Varghese, CEO at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
Jacob Varghese is CEO of plaintiff law firm Maurice Blackburn. Jacob is committed to ensuring every Australian has access to the benefits and protections of the legal system. His legal experience includes running complex class actions and overseeing Maurice Blackburn’s social justice practice. As CEO, Jacob combines his experience as a top litigator with strategic and lateral approaches to management and his broader view of the commercial and political landscape.

Noel Lim (moderator), CEO & Co-Founder at Anika Legal
Noel Lim is the Founding CEO of Anika Legal, a not-for-profit legal service with a vision of a world where everyone can access justice. Anika Legal provides free legal support that empowers renters to thrive in safe homes. The organisation has supported 1000 people in Australia to maintain safe, secure, affordable homes. Noel was a finalist for the Victorian Young Australian of the Year (2023) and NFP Emerging Leader award (2023).