Arbitritation in contempt: Back to Basics
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
The Anniversary Dinner
Time | 6:00pm reception start
Location | Le Splash Rooftop Bar, Vaudeville Ballroom
Le Meridien, Melbourne
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2026
2026 National Conference
Time | 9.00am for 9.25am start
Location | Vaudeville Ballroom
Le Meridien, Melbourne
Forty years ago, a small band of heretics gathered in Melbourne to say what no one inside the industrial relations club would admit: that compulsory arbitration had failed the very people it claimed to protect. They called that first gathering "Arbitration in Contempt".
Four decades on, you could be forgiven for thinking you had slept through the reform era entirely. Multi-employer bargaining is back from the dead. “Same Job, Same Pay” decrees that effort and enterprise shall count for nothing. The tribunal has a new name and an ever-expanding writ over how every Australian may work, hire, and be hired. Union officials who regard the law as optional are once again a fixture of our worksites — and of the evening news. The absurdities of 1986 are the policies of today; they have simply been re-badged.
So we are going back to basics. Again. Join us in Melbourne for an evening and a day of plain speaking, good company and first principles — freedom of contract, workplace choice, and the case against central planning of Australian workplaces — as the Society marks forty years of saying what needs to be said.
JOHN STONE MEMORIAL ORATION
The Society is proud to announce that the John Stone AO Memorial Oration will be delivered by, Mitch Hooke AM, at our 2026 National Conference on Thursday, October 1.
Mitch Hooke AM is one of Australia’s most accomplished industry leaders and public-policy advocates, with more than four decades of experience across the agricultural, food and mining sectors.
After beginning his career as an agronomist, Mr Hooke led the Grains Council of Australia, the Australian Food and Grocery Council and, from 2002 to 2013, the Minerals Council of Australia.
At the Minerals Council, he became a formidable advocate for workplace flexibility, lower taxation, sensible regulation and a more competitive economy. He was also central to the mining industry’s successful campaign against the Rudd Government’s proposed Resources Super Profits Tax.
In 2016, Mr Hooke was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to business, public policy, trade and the Indigenous community.
The prestigious Copeman Medal will be awarded at the conclusion of the Oration.
6th RAY EVANS MEMORIAL ORATION
The Society is proud to announce the 35th Treasurer of Australia, The Hon John Sharp AM, will deliver the 6th Ray Evans Memorial Oration at our 2026 Anniversary Dinner on Wednesday, September 30.
The Hon John Sharp AM has made an outstanding contribution to Australian public life, transport reform and regional development. Mr Sharp served in the Commonwealth Parliament for almost 14 years before becoming Minister for Transport and Regional Development in the Howard Government.
As minister, he pursued major reforms across Australia’s aviation, rail, shipping and transport sectors. He oversaw the privatisation of major capital-city airports, helped establish the Australian Rail Track Corporation and worked with Industrial Relations Minister Peter Reith to develop the Government’s plans for waterfront reform.
Mr Sharp later held senior roles across the aviation and transport industries. In 2018, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the Parliament, aviation and the community.
Ray Evans (1935-2014), was a relentless champion of IR reform. In his foreword to the second edition of Arbitration in Contempt (1992), Evans stated: "Members of the H R Nicholls Society are, generally, optimistic about Australia's future, because they believe that in the end, common sense will prevail." Evans' vision for dismantling union monopolies and freeing the labour market provides the precise inspiration we need today in our renewed fight for Australia's productivity and economic liberty.
REGISTRATION
Register using the above Trybooking link.