Where
Parliament House, Canberra and online
When
9:30am - 4:30pm AEDT, Thursday 6th November, 2025
How inclusive is your air?
When we think about accessibility and inclusion, we don’t normally think about the air we share indoors - but given that we spend 90% of our time inside, and that the air in classrooms, workplaces, and healthcare settings is often invisible and unregulated, we should. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) affects one in two Australians living with a chronic condition, making it both a public health and accessibility issue.
The Safer shared air: Making the invisible visible conference is the Safer Air Project’s second annual Parliament House event. The full day conference will highlight why improving IAQ matters, examine the science and the evidence for mandating IAQ performance standards, and set out how we can make indoor air safer for everyone to breathe.
This conference will bring together people with lived experience, advocates, policymakers, clinicians, scientists, and built environment and industry leaders to highlight why IAQ must be recognised as a foundation for health, equity, and inclusion.
What to expect
Opening remarks from Assistant Minister Rebecca White MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health and for Women Prof Michael Kidd AO, Chief Medical Officer and Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah and Dr Monique Ryan MP, Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Clean Air Quality group
A lived experience panel with community advocates, including voices from disability and patient organisations
Science and evidence from leading experts, including new reports on IAQ from Thrive, the Australian Academy of Science and enHealth
Policy discussion on how IAQ performance standards are developed (and why we need them)
Workplace, productivity and built environment perspectives, including speakers from ACTU, IWBI, GBCA, NABERS and more
What leading organisations are already doing to make sure their air is inclusive
Additional special guests to be announced
Who is this event for?
This conference is for anyone who cares about health, equity and inclusion - whether you're in government, business, education, healthcare, policy, the built environment, or are an interested community member. If you're interested in making the invisible, we’d love you to join us.
Supporting partners
Sponsors
Program
| Time | What | Location |
| 9:30am | Registrations open | Foyer |
| Session 1 – Why improving IAQ matters Moderated by Plum Stone | ||
| 10:00am | Plum Stone
Assistant Minister Rebecca White MP Prof Michael Kidd AO Senator Ananda-Rajah and Dr Ryan MP Glen Ramos A/Prof Suman Majumdar Lived experience panel discussion Katherine Marshall
Glen Ramos
Anne Wilson
| Theatre and online |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Lunch | Foyer |
| Session 2 – Translating science into policy Moderated by Dr Claire Bird | ||
| 1:00pm | Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska
Anna-Maria Arabia Liam O’Brien TBC
Q&A: Translating science into policy
Anna-Maria Arabia A/Prof Suman Majumdar
TBC | Theatre and online |
| 2:30pm – 3:00pm | Afternoon tea | Foyer |
| Session 3 – How we can make indoor air safer for everyone to breathe Moderated by Mark Vender | ||
| 3:00pm | Prof Christhina Candido
Jack Noonan Panel discussion and Q&A: Nic Burt FMA Ben Gill
Jorge Chapa
| Theatre and online |
| 4:30pm | Event concludes | Theatre and online |
We reserve the right to make changes to the program, speakers, or schedule if required.
Speakers
Assistant Minister Rebecca White MP
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health and for Women
Rebecca grew up on a farm and maintains a love of the land and animals. She lives with her young family on a small acreage at Richmond in Tasmania.
Rebecca is passionate about ensuring there is equality of opportunity for all Australians regardless of where they live, their background or circumstances.
First elected to the Tasmanian Parliament in 2010 for the seat of Lyons, Rebecca served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier in the Labor government and was later appointed Minister for Human Services. She was the Leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party from 2017 to 2024.
Rebecca was elected to the Federal Parliament in 2025 and appointed Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health and Women.
Rebecca graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2004 with a combined Commerce and Arts degree with majors in international business management and marketing, journalism and political science. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Professor Michael Kidd AO
Chief Medical Officer
Professor Michael Kidd AO is Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, based in the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. He is a general practitioner and a primary care and public health researcher, and has served as president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and president of the World Organization of Family Doctors. He is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, and has held past research appointments at Monash University, the University of Sydney, Flinders University, the Australian National University, and the University of Toronto. He holds a current joint academic appointment as the Foundation Director of the International Centre for Future Health Systems at the University of New South Wales, and as Professor of Global Primary Care with the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, where is he also a Senior Research Fellow of Green Templeton College and a Fellow of Kellogg College.
Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah
Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah is an awarding winning researcher and medical specialist in infectious diseases and general medicine with 26 years experience. During the pandemic Michelle co-founded Healthcare Workers Australia, a grassroots advocacy group leading the fight for a better pandemic response and one that protected our frontline healthcare workers. During this time and now as a senator she has championed the need for clean indoor air to keep Australians safe and productive.
Dr Monique Ryan MP
Member for Kooyong
Dr Monique Ryan is in her second term as the Independent Federal Member for Kooyong.
Before her move to Federal Parliament, Dr Ryan was Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Neurology Department, Head of the Neuromuscular Research Team at MCRI, and a Professor of Medicine at Melbourne and Monash Universities.
Dr Ryan is committed to action on climate change, integrity and transparency in government, and the cost-of-living and housing crises. She’s a strong advocate for best practice evidence-based health, mental, dental, and aged care, and for greater support of our education and research sectors. Dr Ryan is Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Health, Aged Care, and Disability Committee.
Glen Ramos
Patient advocate
Glen has over 30 years’ experience in health care policy and advocacy as a senior executive and director. This includes initiating, influencing, and instituting public inquiries, judicial inquiries, and legislative changes at State and Commonwealth levels resulting in policy change improvements to injury and communicable disease prevention, access to mental health services, and access to specialist medical services. He is a Director of the Australian Health Promotion Association and National Councillor of the Australasian Epidemiological Association.
A/Prof Suman Majumdar
Burnet Institute
Associate Professor Suman Majumdar is Chief Health Officer Deputy Program Director, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness at the Burnet Institute. A public health expert, researcher and infectious diseases physician, he currently leads a collaborative, multi-disciplinary program of work that focuses on developing evidence-based and equitable solutions for clean indoor air, and to reduce the transmission of airborne pathogens, including tuberculosis.
Carolyn Dews
CEO
IDFA
A dynamic and experienced professional with significant experience working across a range of industry sectors who is passionate about working with people to achieve outstanding organisational results.
Through her strong experience in strategic planning, project management, organisational change, developing and implementing high-level strategy and exceptional communication and interpersonal skills Carolyn has worked with the Board, team and members of IDFA to build the organisation i no a supportive, member focused group.
Katherine Marshall
CEO
Inclusive Rainbow Voices
Katherine is the CEO of Inclusive Rainbow Voices, an intersectional Disabled Persons Organisation working towards equity & justice for LGBTIQA+ people with disability. Katherine brings 15+ years’ experience working on health, disability and LGBTIQA+ advocacy and policy development.
In addition to their lived experience as a chronically ill, disabled, queer and non-binary person, Katherine has worked across government, not-for-profit and creative industry settings, leading projects and programs that promote accessibility, inclusion and justice for diverse disability communities.
Katherine’s approach is rooted in disability justice principals and a systemic outlook that seeks to build cross-disability and cross-movement solidarity.
Katherine is an avid supporter of disabled arts and culture, and seeks to platform the power and creativity of disabled communities, culture and leadership.
Anne Wilson
CEO
Emerge Australia
Anne is an accomplished NFP CEO with a former focus in respiratory and renal health, and a track record engaging stakeholders and building capacity across advocacy, education, research and service delivery.
As CEO of Emerge Australia Anne is dedicated to supporting and improving outcomes for Australians impacted by ME/CFS, long COVID and associated energy limiting conditions. A graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Leadership Program, Anne’s qualifications span degrees and post graduate qualifications in Human Services and Adolescent Health.
In 2008, Anne was recognised as the NFP Network Association CEO of the Year, is the current Deputy Chair of the Neurological Alliance of Australia (NAA), Director of the Australian Patients Advocacy Association and Director Secretary/Treasurer of the International Kidney Cancer Coalition based in the Netherlands.
Dr Claire Bird
LITMAS Pty Ltd
Dr Claire Bird has taken a range of leadership positions in indoor air quality in Australia, through consulting, researching and providing analytical services in the area of microbial ecology and in airborne microbial exposure assessment.
She currently owns and operates LITMAS Pty Ltd, a commercial laboratory focused on reducing microbial risks in buildings. She was the inaugural president of the Indoor Air Quality Association Australia and currently serves as the Associate Director of the Indoor Air Quality Special Technical group for AIRAH (the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating). Here she helps to facilitate an IAQ-focused workplan across several IAQ subgroups and contributes to Standards Australia for indoor air quality. Her current advocacy focus is through reviewing, writing and updating guidelines for the broad IAQ industry and on education and awareness raising to achieve safer indoor environments.
Claire is also the current Vice President of the Integrated Biosciences and Indoor Environment Consortium a global not-for-profit scientific community focused on reducing airborne transmission of disease with a strong presence in Australia.
Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska
ARC Training Centre for Advanced Building Systems Against Airborne Infection Transmission (THRIVE) and Queensland University of Technology
Lidia Morawska is Distinguished Professor at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia; the Director of the International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health at QUT, a Collaborating Centre of the World Health Organization (WHO); and the Centre Director for the ARC Training Centre for Advanced Building Systems Against Airborne Infection Transmission (THRIVE) hosted at QUT. Lidia also holds positions of Vice- Chancellor Fellow, Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), University of Surrey, UK; and Adjunct Professor, Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. An author of over 1,100 publications, Lidia has been involved at the executive level with a number of relevant national/international professional bodies, is a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, and is acting as an advisor to the WHO. She is the recipient of numerous scientific awards.
Anna-Maria Arabia OAM
CEO
Australian Academy of Science
Anna-Maria is CEO of the Australian Academy of Science, an independent organisation championing science for the benefit of all. Starting her career as a neuroscientist, Anna-Maria has worked globally in scientific research, policy development, politics and advocacy.
Her leadership has led to significant policy reform, including establishing new mechanisms to enable evidence-informed decision making in parliaments and the justice system; new approaches to science communication; and advancements in support of underrepresented scientists.
She provides advice to the highest levels of government in Australia and contributes to global policy fora. Anna-Maria was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to science, and earnt the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy for her commitment to science in society and in enabling diverse people to access science. Anna-Maria is routinely called upon to serve as an agent of change.
Liam O’Brien
Assistant Secretary
ACTU
Liam was re-elected as Assistant Secretary at the ACTU Congress in June 2024.
Before joining the ACTU Liam was the Victorian Assistant Secretary and National Vice-President of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU). It was there where he fought for the rights of workers across the diverse range of industries that the AWU represents. As a national official he led the AWU’s work in the aluminium, aviation, glass and construction sectors.
As ACTU Assistant Secretary Liam is responsible for leading the movements policy, industrial and campaigning work on work health and safety and workers’ compensation matters. Liam is passionate about the rights of all workers to have safe, healthy and decent work, and is a member of Safe Work Australia (SWA) and the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Council (ASSEC).
Liam is also responsible for the skills and VET portfolio at the ACTU, and is the Deputy Chair of the Jobs and Skills Australia Ministerial Advisory Board.
He also holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, with a major in Economics.
He is the proud father of two kids and lives in Melbourne’s west.
Mark Vender
AIRAH
Mark Vender is Advocacy and Policy Manager at AIRAH, a leading member organisation for professionals working in HVAC&R building services. AIRAH plays a vital role in developing knowledge about indoor air quality and connecting experts in building systems with the wide range of disciplines that are involved in ensuring good IAQ, in particular through its IAQ Special Technical Group and its annual IAQ Conference. Mark has represented AIRAH and the wider HVAC&R building services industry in initiatives such as the Clean Air Forum, the Safer Air Project, the THRIVE research project, and International Ventilation Day.
Prof Christhina Candido
Director, SHE (Sustainable and Healthy Environments) Lab
The University of Melbourne
Prof Chris Candido directs the SHE (Sustainable and Healthy Environments) Lab at the University of Melbourne Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning. A triple award winner from the International WELL Institute, findings from her work have been used to inform changes in design and operational practices around the world.
Jack Noonan
Head of Asia Pacific
International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
Jack Noonan serves the Asia Pacific market as Senior Vice President, APAC, for the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Based in Melbourne, Jack’s role involves leading the technical support, market development and operations across the Asia Pacific region.
Prior to his time at IWBI, Jack was the Manager of Climate Change Programs at Sustainability Victoria, a government agency, where he developed and led the TAKE2 Climate Change Program and informed state climate policy. This followed six years working at a building science consultancy, where he held a number of leadership roles.
Jack holds Bachelor degrees in Science and Psychology, both from Monash University, as well as a Master of Business focused on the commercialisation of science and emerging technology. In 2009, he was a winner of the National Australia Bank Science in Business award.
His areas of expertise include air and water quality, green buildings, sustainability rating tools, science commercialisation and climate policy. He is a WELL Accredited Professional and a member of the International Society for Indoor Air Quality and the Green Building Council’s Future Green Leaders program. He is passionate about environmental justice and equity, as well as the health and education of communities. He also serves on the board of a local community organisation focused on adult education and social inclusion.
Ron Pulido
Sector Lead
NABERS
Ron is a Sector Lead at NABERS. He actively collaborates with industry and government stakeholders, championing their involvement in achieving sustainability outcomes in the building sector.
Ron has worked with industry to improve national standards on the indoor environment. Having served as Secretary across several ISO Technical Committees, Ron has also led work developing international standards in the built environment.
Nicholas Burt
CEO
Facility Management Association of Australia
Nicholas Burt is CEO of the Facility Management Association of Australia (FMA). He has over 20 years’ leadership experience, including appointments at the senior executive level within the community services and facility management sectors for both NGOs and local government. His roles have covered the entire spectrum of policy development and planning, program implementation and management. During his time with the FMA, Nic’s commitment to improving process has helped to drive industry development and deliver high-quality services to stakeholders in the facilities management sector. Nic also chairs the Standards Australia technical committee MB-022, Facilities Management, and was involved in the development of the new ISO standards for facilities management. on a strong working knowledge of a wide variety of facilities and this ensures the best applicable industry practice is evaluated and implemented for his Clients.
Ben Gill
Affil.AIRAH, GAICD, CPA, MBA
CEO
Plasma Shield
Ben is the Chief Executive Officer of air-decontamination company Plasma Shield Ltd.
Prior to Plasma Shield, Ben was the Head of Asia Pacific for BrainBox AI, an AI start up using predictive AI to reduce emissions.
Ben’s leadership experience extends from 17 years in commercial property with Lend Lease and The GPT Group, HVAC, management, finance, digital and marketing, technology management and governance.
Ben is originally from Darwin, lives in Adelaide with his wife Sonja and two daughters, tries to stay fit playing a game called Wallball and definitely spends too much time on Tik Tok...
Jorge Chapa
CIO
Green Building council of Australia
As the Chief Impact Officer at GBCA, Jorge ensures GBCA’s strategic priorities, partnerships, products and services, including Green Star, accelerate the transformation of Australia’s built environment – delivering healthier, more resilient, and positive places for people and nature. His work at GBCA was recently recognised as a leading sustainability program for the built environment by the Australian Financial Review.
He is a member of Climate Bond Initiative’s Low Carbon Buildings Technical Working Group, GRESB’s Real Estate Standards Committee, Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor’s Global Industry Committee, and represented WorldGBC in Science Based Target Initiatives Buildings Technical Expert Group. He is also a Board Director at GreenFleet.
Plum Stone
CEO
The Safer Air Project
Plum has worked in health policy and public affairs for the last 20 years, with experience in the UK Parliament, international public affairs agencies and in-house for patient advocacy organisations. Plum wrote her undergraduate dissertation on learning the lessons of pandemics of the past to prepare for pandemics of the future and has an MSc in Public Health (Nutrition).
As a result of Plum’s professional background, and personal lived experience with an immunocompromised and high-risk family, she has founded The Safer Air Project, with a mission to get indoor air quality recognised as a critical accessibility and inclusion issue for people living with chronic health conditions, in order to make indoor air safer for everyone to breathe.