Parliamentary Professional Services Network (PPSN) 2023 Conference
Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 March 2023 | Theatre | Australian Parliament House

Attendance at the PPSN 2023 conference is open for staff from participating parliaments. The $550 fee (+BF) includes conference dinners (Wed & Thurs) and daytime catering. A 'Virtual Conference' ticket is also available for folk unable to travel, offering the 11am to 3pm program via WebEx.

The Parliamentary Professional Services Network (PPSN) creates opportunities for development and networking among professional and corporate services personnel in Parliaments in Australia and the Pacific. The PPSN seeks to advance knowledge and collaboration among members while promoting the professional practice of Parliamentary services in the region.

Our 2023 Conference program is still being finalised, but bookings are now open. We strongly encourage you to get in early with their travel and accommodation bookings.

Registrations close Thursday 2 March 2023.

Program outline

Tuesday 7 March - for those arriving early, please let us know if you'd like to join us for a pre-conference dinner at Hyatt Hotel Canberra (not included in the conference ticket fee).

Wednesday 8 March - program 10am to 4:45pm AEDT; conference pre-dinner drinks (cash bar) on Members & Guests Dining Room Terrace from 5pm; conference Dinner in Members & Guests Dining Room from 6:30pm.

Thursday 9 March - program 9am to 4:45pm AEDT; Thursday night conference dinner in Mural Hall included in conference ticket.

Friday 10 March - program 9am to 2:30pm AEDT; early conference close to allow guests to make early flights.

A secretariat and 'hot desking' room will be provided 8am to 6pm across the duration of the conference for participants.

Travel and Accommodation

All attendees of 2023 conference are responsible for their own travel to and from Canberra, and between their accommodation and Parliament House. The following venues are walking-distance to APH and are offering PPSN attendees discounted bookings.

HYATT HOTEL CANBERRA, 120 Commonwealth Ave, Canberra, ACT, 2600. PH: 02 6270 1234 - 10% discount for guests using the code BQTS.

Doma Hotels have offered a 15% discount for PPSN attendees for any of their 4 hotels in walking distance to APH. Use the code EVENT when booking at any of the following:

HOTEL REALM, 18 National Cct, Barton, ACT, 2600. PH: 02 6163 1800
HOTEL BURBURY, 1 Burbury Cl, Barton, ACT, 2600. PH: 02 6173 2700
LITTLE NATIONAL, 21 National Cct, Barton, ACT, 2600. PH: 02 6185 1988
BRASSEY HOTEL, Belmore Gardens & Macquarie St, Barton, ACT, 2600. PH: 02 6188 3288

Forrest Hotel and Apartments are a short walk to APH, and offer affordable rooms and serviced apartments with rooms at the lower-price point. FORREST HOTEL AND APARTMENTS, 30 National Circuit, Forrest, ACT, 2600. PH: 02 6203 4300

About Australian Parliament House

Getting to Australian Parliament House | Accessibility | Conditions of Entry

Visiting Canberra in March

During March, Canberra weather is at its best, with daytime temperatures of 25°C. but the overnight temperatures drop to a balmy (for Canberra) 11°C. Dress code is smart casual business attire, and you will definitely want to have a jacket in the evenings for some of our planned outdoor moments or the journey back to your hotel.

Canberra’s Enlighten Festival and Balloon Festival

One of the highlights of the Canberra social calendar is the ENLIGHTEN festival, a fortnight-long evening program of illuminations on the city’s major cultural buildings, including our own Australian Parliament House. We will include an opportunity to view our building projections as part of the post-dinner activity for our conference opening night dinner (Wed 8 March) and you may wish to continue your own exploration of the projections and street entertainment in the Parliamentary Triangle. Because Enlighten draws a significant interstate tourism to Canberra, we highly recommend making your PPSN 23 accommodation bookings as early as possible, both for reasons of availability and pricing.

Those staying in Canberra after the Conference can also catch the Canberra Balloon Spectacular (dates being confirmed) with plenty of opportunities for early breakfast events or to see the Canberra skyline as a colour, sound and movement. More information here.

COVID-19 Information

The health and safety of participants and the broader community is important to us. We will be advising our conference participants of the COVID conditions and requirements ‘of the day’ in the lead-up to the Conference. APH has strict COVID-safe responses, with hand sanitiser and room cleanings part of our daily operation. Any costs associated with isolation in Canberra will not be able to be covered by the conference host so it's important that you are COVID-19 free prior to travel.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a key strategic priority for Australian Parliament House. At the conference, we are always looking at ways to make environmentally responsible choices and reduce waste, we will be publishing our program digitally and using our attendee list to email program updates and sharing calendar files to add the program to your device.

Photo ID required

Please note in person conference attendees must bring Photo ID as some conference events will take place in secure zones of Australian Parliament House.

Further information: Please email DPSPPSNconference2023@aph.gov.au.