National Indigenous Legal Conference 2026

Keynote Speaker - Joshua Creamer, Barrister-in-Law

Joshua is a Waanyi and Kalkadoon man and barrister, with extensive experience in human rights litigation and representing the interests of First Nations people. His work has included landmark class actions concerning the Palm Island death in custody, stolen wages, and the Stolen Generations.

Andrew Boe, Barrister, Black Chambers

Andrew Boe is an experienced barrister with a national criminal law practice across Sydney and Melbourne. Admitted to legal practice in 1989 and to the Queensland and NSW Bars in 2009, Andrew has appeared in trial and appellate courts across Australia, including the High Court, in complex criminal matters involving serious offences, corruption, fraud and unlawful killing. He has also appeared in coronial inquests, commissions of inquiry, judicial review proceedings and professional misconduct matters. Before joining the Bar, Andrew was Principal of a Queensland criminal law firm for 19 years and an Accredited Specialist in criminal law. His notable matters include representing Ivan Milat, David Ettridge and the Palm Island community at the inquest into the death of Mulrunji.

Andrew Williams, President, Tarwirri Indigenous Law Association of Victoria Inc. Lawyer, First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria

Andrew is a proud Palawa (Poredareme) man who grew up mostly on Wurundjeri country and lives on Bunurong land now. He is a Lawyer at the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria and previously worked in private practice with in-house legal experience in the medical research sector. Andrew is a passionate sports fan and is an active participant in both basketball and netball. He also serves on the board of a large basketball association where he has also been a basketball referee for over 20 years. As Tarwirri President, Andrew brings his governance experience to support and advocate for his fellow First Nations lawyers to help increase the number of law students joining the profession.  

Antoinette Braybrook AM, CEO, Djirra

Antoinette Braybrook AM is a Kuku Yalanji woman and the CEO of Djirra, a role she has held since the organisation was established in 2002. For more than two decades, Antoinette has been a leading advocate for Aboriginal women’s safety, justice and human rights, driving Djirra’s growth and expansion and giving voice to Aboriginal women at state, national and international levels. Her leadership has been widely recognised. She was named Melburnian of the Year in 2022, appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023 for her service to law and family violence prevention, and awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Deakin University in 2024. In 2025, Antoinette was appointed to the Australian Family Law Council for a three-year term.

Damian Beaufils, Barrister, Black Chmabers

Damian Beufils is a barrister and Crown Prosecutor with extensive experience in criminal law and regulatory matters. A proud descendant of the Gundungurra people, Damian became the first Aboriginal person appointed as a Crown Prosecutor in NSW in 2022. He has appeared across the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, Supreme Court, District Court, Local Court and Land and Environment Court, and has acted in complex prosecutions, trials, appeals and sentencing matters. In 2019, Damian served as counsel assisting the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’. He is also a commissioned officer with the Royal Australian Navy and is actively involved with the NSW Bar Association. In 2025, Damian was recognised with the Ngalaya First Nations Lawyer of the Year Award.

Elizabeth Clarke, Research Manager, Justice and Equity Centre

Elizabeth Clark is the Research Manager for the Towards Truth project at the Justice and Equity Centre. Elizabeth joined the project in 2024 as a Research Lawyer and was appointed Research Manager in 2025. Her work focuses on truth-telling and the laws and policies that have shaped the lives of First Nations peoples in Australia. Before joining the Justice and Equity Centre, Elizabeth spent seven years working with First Nations clients through the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities at Legal Aid NSW. Her practice included housing, credit and debt, consumer law, complaints against police and the Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme. She has also worked in criminal justice policy and law reform with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. Elizabeth holds a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws from UNSW.

Gemma Sentance, Senior Research Fellow, Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research University of Technology Sydney

Gemma Sentance is a Wiradjuri woman from NSW and currently works as a Senior Research Fellow with Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research. She has just completed her PhD, which investigated the experiences of First Nations law graduates in colonial legal institutions. Gemma has previously worked as a research assistant on an Australian Research Council project exploring the experiences of criminalised First Nations women engaging with the legal system in NSW. She also has experience working as a graduate solicitor for the NSW government and has a Bachelor of Laws from UTS, Master of Criminal Justice and Criminology from UNSW, and a graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage from CSU. Gemma co-leads the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Fellowship with Professor Juanita Sherwood, a program that forms part of the ARC Laureate awarded to Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt OA.

Hugh de Kretser, President, Australian Human Rights Commission

Hugh de Kretser has played a critical role in advancing human rights in Australia for more than 2 decades. Before joining the Commission, he was the CEO of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria. He previously worked as the Executive Director of the Human Rights Law Centre and the Executive Officer of the Victorian Federation of Community Legal Centres. Hugh has also served as a Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission and a Director of the Sentencing Advisory Council. He has held a range of not-for-profit board, governance and advisory positions including for Flourish Australia, the International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations, knowmore and the National Association of Community Legal Centres. He has worked as a community lawyer, managing the Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre and started his legal career advising companies on employment and anti-discrimination law.

James Blackwell (Wiradyuri from Boorowa), Research and Policy Fellow, Office of Pro-Vice Chancellor Society UNSW; Member of Uluru Dialogue UNSW

James Blackwell is a proud Wiradyuri man from Boorowa in regional New South Wales and a Research Fellow in Indigenous Diplomacy at the Australian National University’s Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. His research focuses on how First Nations peoples understand, practise and participate in diplomacy and international relations, and how Indigenous knowledges and perspectives can be more meaningfully reflected in policy, higher education and foreign affairs. James is also a PhD candidate at ANU and a member of the Uluru Dialogue at UNSW, where he has contributed to advocacy, education and research supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart. He has worked extensively across Indigenous policy, research and public engagement, with a strong focus on elevating First Nations voices in institutions and systems that have historically excluded them. James also contributes to the Towards Truth project, which documents the laws and policies that have shaped the lives of First Nations peoples in Australia.

James “Japangardi” Parfitt (Fejo), Community Legal Education Coordinator True Justice and Deep Listening; Bilata Program Coordinator NAAJA

James Parfitt (Fejo) is a Larrakia and Warumungu man from the Northern Territory and a Community Legal Educator with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA). James brings around 30 years of experience across the justice system, including roles with the Darwin Local Court, the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and the Federal Court of Australia. He has also worked extensively in community engagement, legal education and justice programs, including with major Royal Commissions examining institutional child sexual abuse and youth detention in the Northern Territory. He is the co-founder of the Bilata Indigenous Legal Pathways program, which supports greater participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in legal education and the profession, and has contributed to the development and delivery of First Nations legal education initiatives with Charles Darwin University, including the True Justice Deep Listening on Country program. James’ work is grounded in cultural education, community engagement and improving understanding of the justice system from First Nations perspectives.

Julian McMahon AC SC, Barrister, Victorian Bar

Julian McMahon AC SC is a Senior Counsel at the Victorian Bar, practising in criminal law. Since 2002, Julian has also worked extensively on death penalty cases and policy initiatives, supporting Australians facing execution overseas and contributing to broader human rights advocacy. He has spoken widely in Australia and internationally on capital punishment and human rights and has held leadership roles with organisations including the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network and the Capital Punishment Justice Project. Julian’s contribution to the law and social justice has been widely recognised. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2017 and has also received the Law Council of Australia President’s Medal, the Victorian Australian of the Year Award and an honorary Doctorate in Law from Australian Catholic University.

Kate Sinclair, Senior Solicitor, Strategic Litigation, Justice and Equity Centre

Kate joined the Justice and Equity Centre’s Strategic Litigation team as a Solicitor in 2022. She is a proud Dharug woman and proudly queer. Kate works on police accountability, challenging unlawful police conduct with a focus on the impact of police practices on First Nations people and improving conditions for people in prison. She jointly led the Justice and Equity Centre’s campaign in support of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Kate advocates for reform to freedom of information laws and assisted on The Justice and Equity Centre’s landmark test case challenging the use of handcuffs on people in immigration detention when attending medical appointments. Before joining the Justice and Equity Centre, Kate was a solicitor at Allens, spending time as Pro Bono Coordinator of the firm’s Sydney office. Kate was also Chairperson of Ngalaya, the peak body in NSW/ACT for First Nations lawyers and law students, where she served as Chairperson for over 3 years during a 7-year period on the organisation’s board. She was the Managing Editor of the University of New South Wales Law Society’s social justice publication, Court of Conscience. Kate started her legal career as a First Nations Cadet at Gilbert + Tobin. Kate has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Politics from the University of New South Wales, and was admitted as a solicitor in 2020.

Lauren Davies, Manager, First Nations Strategy and Engagement, NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Lauren Davies is a Gomeroi and Ngarabal woman and the Manager, First Nations Strategy and Engagement at the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Her legal career has included roles across Legal Aid NSW, the Aboriginal Legal Service and the National Justice Project, with experience spanning criminal law, civil law, human rights and First Nations justice. Lauren is particularly passionate about embedding First Nations perspectives into legal advocacy, policy and organisational practice, and strengthening culturally safe engagement with First Nations communities. She holds a Bachelor of Laws/Arts in Criminology from Macquarie University and has undertaken postgraduate study in Human Rights Law and Policy at UNSW.

Lucy Kelley, Policy Lawyer, Justice and Equity Centre

Lucy joined the Justice and Equity Centre’s Strategic Litigation team in December 2023. She is passionate about enhancing access to justice and promoting self-determination for First Nations people through collaborative partnerships and community-led campaigns. Lucy works across the Justice and Equity Centre’s Family is Culture Advocacy and Policing and Prisons projects, supporting First Nations families to stay together and continue their connection to culture, and working with First Nations organisations to reduce the over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice and child protection systems in New South Wales. Prior to joining the Justice and Equity Centre, Lucy worked as a Policy Lawyer at the NSW Bar Association, as a tipstaff at the District Court and Dust Diseases Tribunal of NSW, and as a paralegal at Frederick Jordan Chambers. Lucy holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney.

Marissa Niven, Counsellor, Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre

Marissa Niven is a counsellor and community practitioner based on the Central Coast, working with Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre. Her work is grounded in supporting the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities through culturally safe, community-based practice. Marissa also has a strong creative practice as a poet and spoken-word performer, using storytelling and creative expression to explore identity, connection and lived experience. She brings a distinctive combination of community engagement, wellbeing practice and creative communication to her work with First Nations communities.

Matilda Slater-Phillips (Dharug), Research Lawyer, Justice and Equity Centre

Matilda Slater-Phillips is a proud Dharug woman, lawyer and legal researcher. She is a Research Lawyer with the Justice and Equity Centre’s Towards Truth project, where her work focuses on truth-telling, legal history and the impact of law and policy on First Nations peoples. Matilda is also an Associate Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney and is completing a PhD exploring the murder of the “non-human”, with a particular focus on First Nations perspectives. Prior to joining the Justice and Equity Centre, Matilda worked across the Big Rivers Region in the Northern Territory as a Solicitor and Policy Officer with Katherine Women’s Information and Legal Service, specialising in domestic violence, victims of crime compensation and child protection matters. Her broader experience includes work across First Nations justice, criminal law, commercial law and community legal services. Matilda holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (Honours) from UTS and was admitted as a solicitor in 2023.

Matthew Connop, Regional Manager, NAAJA

Matthew Connop is a Dagoman man from Katherine with connections to the Jawoyn and Wardaman peoples, and is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA). Born and raised in the Northern Territory, Matthew brings a strong understanding of the region’s cultural, social and justice landscape. His career with NAAJA has developed across legal practice, community engagement and organisational leadership, with a particular focus on improving access to justice for Aboriginal people and communities across the Northern Territory. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Justice, majoring in Policy and Governance, from the Queensland University of Technology. In his current leadership role, he contributes to NAAJA’s work delivering culturally responsive legal services, justice programs, advocacy and policy reform for Aboriginal people throughout the Northern Territory.

Narelle Bedford, Assistant Professor, Bond University

As a Yuin woman, Narelle has a deep personal commitment to researching areas where the law impacts First Nations peoples and to advocating for law reform. Due to her interest in government accountability, Narelle teaches Administrative Law and Canadian Administrative Law. She joined Bond University after teaching at the University of Queensland and the National University of Samoa. Narelle has a Masters of Law (specialising in public law) from ANU and undergraduate qualifications in Economics and Law from Macquarie University. She is currently completing her PhD, for which she received the Sir Anthony Mason Award at the confirmation stage. Prior to academia, Narelle was employed by the Australian Attorney-General's Department in the Administrative Law and National Security units. Narelle was also an Executive Officer for the Migration and Refugee Review Tribunals. Narelle was formerly an Australian diplomat, serving in both Australia and Malaysia for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She was an Associate to the Hon. Justice Moore, formerly of the Federal Court of Australia.

Rebecca McMahon, Barrister, Forbes Chambers

Rebecca McMahon is a barrister at Forbes Chambers in Sydney and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales. Rebecca has extensive experience across criminal law, advocacy and justice, having previously worked as a prosecutor with the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a criminal defence lawyer with Legal Aid NSW, Managing Lawyer of the Redfern office of the Aboriginal Legal Service, and later as the principal of her own private law practice. She is a co-chair and founding member of the Bugmy Bar Book project, which supports legal practitioners and courts to better understand the impact of disadvantage in sentencing and other legal contexts. Rebecca was the 2021 recipient of the Terry Keaney Memorial Award, recognising her dedication to the profession, excellence in criminal law, commitment to clients and concern for social justice.

Sally Dowling SC, Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW)

Sally Dowling SC was appointed as Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) in August 2021 for a 10-year term. Ms Dowling graduated from the University of Sydney (Hons I) in 1994 and was admitted as a solicitor in 1995. Called to the Bar in 1997, she worked in private practice until 2002 when she was appointed a Crown Prosecutor and joined the ODPP. Between 2002 and 2016 Ms Dowling practised as trial and appellate counsel. She was appointed Senior Counsel in 2013 and in 2016 was appointed a Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor and head of the Appeals Unit. Between 2018 and 2020 Ms Dowling practised at the private Bar appearing in coronial inquests and in criminal and regulatory matters both for the prosecution and defence, and acted as Senior Counsel assisting the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into Crystal Methamphetamine. As Director, Ms Dowling is a member of the NSW Sentencing Council, the NSW Criminal Justice Transformation Board and the Aboriginal Justice Partnership Committee and maintains an appellate practice appearing in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court of Australia. Ms Dowling is also a member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Prosecutors. In February 2025, Ms Dowling was appointed to the Panel of Advisors to the Attorney-General of Singapore for a two-year term.

Sarah Etherington, Principal Solicitor, Central Coast Community Legal Centre

Sarah Etherington is a community lawyer with experience improving access to justice for Aboriginal clients on Darkinjung Country. Through Central Coast Community Legal Centre’s Yadhaba Health Justice Partnership, she worked within the mental health and alcohol and other drugs team at Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services, helping clients access legal support in a familiar, culturally safe setting. Sarah provided legal advice and representation to people facing barriers to accessing the justice system. She also delivered legal education for health service staff on apprehended violence orders and subpoenas. Her work brings a practical perspective on how legal and health services can work together to support clients.

Simeon Beckett SC, Senior Counsel, Maurice Byers Chambers

Simeon Beckett SC is a senior public law and inquiries barrister practising at Maurice Byers Chambers and took silk in 2022. He has been a barrister for over 20 years and practises in administrative law, anti-discrimination law, human rights, common law and judicial review. He appears in all superior courts, including intermediate appeals courts and the High Court of Australia. He has appeared in a number of important and high profile cases and is known for his strategic skills. He has also appeared in a large number of public inquiries including the Aged Care Royal Commission and in the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. He was counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse for a number of years. He has also appeared as counsel assisting in a large number of coronial inquests including in health, transport and business related inquiries. He has chaired committees of the NSW Bar Association and the Australian Bar Association. He has taught human rights and international law at Sydney University Law School and has served on a number of not for profit and human rights related boards.

The Honourable Justice Dina Yehia, Judge, Supreme Court of New South Wales

The Honourable Justice Dina Yehia was sworn-in as a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 23 June 2022, the first of Greek Egyptian descent. Her Honour graduated from the University of NSW with a Bachelor of Arts and Law in 1989, working as a solicitor at the Western Aboriginal Legal Service for seven years. Her Honour also graduated from the University of Sydney with a Masters in International Criminal Law in 2011. In 1999, her Honour was called to the bar and spent 14 years as a Public Defender, taking silk in 2009 and becoming the first female Deputy Senior Public Defender in 2013. Her Honour was appointed a Judge of the District Court in May 2014.

Tony McAvoy SC, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers

Appointed Senior Counsel in 2015, Tony has developed a strong native title practice and has successfully appeared for claimants in several land claims. He has also acquired significant experience in the areas of environmental law, administrative law, human rights and discrimination law, coronial inquests and criminal law. Notably, between 2011 and 2013, Tony was an Acting Part-Time Commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court. Tony is also the Acting Northern Territory Treaty Commissioner from the period of 8 December 2021 to 30 June 2022.

Tyson Coen, Aboriginal Health Worker, Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre

Tyson Coen is a Aboriginal Health Worker with the Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre on Darkinjung Country. Tyson is committed to supporting Aboriginal people and communities to improve their health and wellbeing through culturally safe, community-led care. Working on the frontline of Aboriginal health, Tyson brings practical experience, strong community connections and a deep understanding of the challenges and strengths that shape the lives of Aboriginal people seeking support. He is passionate about improving access to culturally responsive alcohol and other drug services and strengthening pathways to healing and recovery. As a Board Director of ACDAN, Tyson provides an important frontline perspective, ensuring the voices of Aboriginal workers, communities and people with lived experience inform the organisation's advocacy, priorities and future direction.

Yeena Kirkbright, Wiradjuri writer, communicator and advocate

Yeena Kirkbright is a Wiradjuri poet from New South Wales, now based on Dharug and Gadigal lands in Sydney. She has been a participant in Sweatshop’s All About Women of Colour emerging writers mentorship program, a runner-up in the Kuracca Prize for Australian Literature and awarded secondd place in the 2022 Judith Wright Poetry Prize. Her work has appeared in several literary journals and anthologies.

Tarwirri Indigenous Law Association of Victoria Inc

Principal Sponsor

Norton Rose Fulbright

Major Sponsor

Lander & Rogers

Sponsor

MinterEllison

Sponsor

Colin Biggers & Paisley

Gala Night and Awards Sponsor

The University of Sydney - Law School