Frsa National Conference - Media Alert

NATIONAL CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER OVER 400 DELEGATES FROM FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIP SERVICES

Over 400 delegates will attend the 3rd Family Relationship Services Australia (FRSA) National Conference 'DIVERSITY: Everyone Benefits', in Melbourne next week (3 5 November). The 2010 Conference theme builds on the work being done across the family support and family law sectors to respond appropriately to the diversity of Australian families.

The conference will explore diversity across:
* Cultural background
* Values and religious beliefs
* Gender and sexuality
* Contemporary family structures
* Geographic and socio-economic context
* Service delivery and workforce development

FRSA is pleased to confirm the following keynote speakers will address the conference:

* The Hon Jenny Macklin (Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs)
* The Hon Julie Collins (Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services)
* The Hon Kevin Andrews (Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services)
* Senator Rachel Siewert (Australian Greens)
* The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG
* Dr Tom Calma
* Chief Justice Diana Bryant (Family Court of Australia)
* Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott (Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia)
* Professor Richard Chisholm (University of Sydney)
* Dr Jenn McIntosh (La Trobe University)
* Benjamin Law (Author)

Panel sessions include:

DIVERSITY AND IDENTITY with Waleed Aly (Monash University), Esme Bamblett (Aborigines Advancement League) and Dr Ida Kaplan (The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture)

DIVERSITY AND THE LAW with Chief Justice Diana Bryant (Family Court of Australia), Professor Richard Chisholm (University of Sydney), Rodney Croome (Australian Marriage Equality), Federal Magistrate Joe Harman (Federal Magistrates Court) and Joumanah El Matrah (Islamic Women's Welfare Council of Victoria)

LISTENING TO FAMILIES with Dr Gail Winkworth (Institute of Child Protection Studies), Vern Hughes (National Federation of Parents, Families and Carers), Tony Trimingham (Family Drug Support), Malyun Ahmed (Diversity Issues Unit, Department of Justice), Terese Edwards (National Council for Single Mothers and their Children)

There will be various product launches, a full program is available at www.frsa.org.au.

Media Enquiries are welcome, contact Bonnie Montgomery on 0406 628 239 or [email protected] for more information or to arrange a media pass for the event.

SOURCE: Family Relationship Services Australia