The HR highlights series returns for 2026, offering HR professionals clear, practical guidance on the workplace and legal developments shaping the year ahead. Designed to support your role and strengthen organisational capability, this year’s theme, Navigating a new era of workplace law, focuses on the challenges and opportunities emerging in a rapidly changing HR landscape. 

Led by our national Employment & Safety team, each session will break down key changes, highlight what they mean in practice and provide actionable tools you can apply immediately in your organisation. 

Whether you’re planning ahead, managing risk, or supporting your people through change, this series offers timely insights to help you make informed decisions and drive long-term success. 

Secure your place in the first three sessions using the register button. Additional details will be shared ahead of each webinar, with new topics released quarterly. 

If you have any enquiries about the webinars, please contact our team at events@cbp.com.au.

Fuel on the fire: How the oil crisis will affect employment relations
Wednesday 22 April | 12:30pm - 1:15pm AEST

In this special edition webinar of our HR highlights series, Employment & Safety Partner Megan Kavanagh and Special Counsel, Tyrone Prisk, will examine how the ongoing oil crisis is reshaping employment relations across Australia.

Megan and Tyrone will look into the flow on affects of rising costs and economic volatility on the workplace, including workforce restructuring, stand downs and redundancies, bargaining pressures, wage growth, and managing employee relations during periods of uncertainty.

Megan Kavanagh
Partner | QLD

Tyrone Prisk
Sepcial Counsel | QLD

Performance-based terminations and tips to minimise the risk of claims
Tuesday 19 May | 12:30pm - 1:15pm AEST

In this HR highlights series webinar, Employment & Safety Partner Kristen Lopes will discuss performance based terminations and practical tips to minimise the risk of employment claims.

Kristen will dive into best practice performance management processes, common pitfalls that lead to unfair dismissal and adverse action claims, and how employers can confidently manage underperformance while meeting their legal obligations.

Kristen Lopes
Partner | NSW

Implications of the Federal Court’s expansion of workplace delegate rights
Wednesday 17 June | 12:30pm - 1:15pm AEST

Join Employment & Safety Partner, Adam Foster, as he breaks down the Federal Court’s expansion of workplace delegate rights and the implications for HR practitioners. 

Adam will examine the Court’s approach, including how expanded rights affect consultation processes, access to communication channels, and employer obligations during disputes. He will also outline the steps HR teams can take to ensure compliance, minimise operational disruption and foster constructive relationships with workplace delegates.

Adam Foster
Partner | VIC 

Using AI to manage employment and safety: the risks and rewards
Tuesday 21 July | 12:30pm - 1:15pm AEST

In this HR highlights series webinar, Employment & Safety Partners Cormack Dunn and Leanne Dearlove will discuss the risks and rewards of using AI to manage employment and workplace safety.

Cormack and Leanne will dive into how AI is being used across recruitment, performance management, disciplinary processes and WHS systems, and what this means for employers navigating Australian employment and safety laws.

Cormack Dunn
Partner | NSW

Leanne Dearlove
Partner | QLD 

Inside the digital work systems (AI) WHS amendment 
Tuesday 10 March | 1:30pm - 2:30pm AEDT 

This session will dive into the new WHS amendments regarding the use of AI. Our expert speakers will provide insights into the implications of this legislation for businesses across Australia and how to ensure compliance with their WHS obligations. 

Despite only NSW having introduced AI specific legislation to date, you must consider the risks of AI in the workplace, regardless of jurisdiction, as all businesses have a primary duty to ensure the health and safety of their workers. Interest from regulators and unions is also certain to increase, particularly given the interaction with psychosocial hazards.

Cormack Dunn
Partner | NSW

Adam Foster
Partner | VIC 

Matthew Giles
Partner | QLD 

Probationary period dismissals
Tuesday 17 March | 12:30pm - 1.15pm AEDT 

Join Employment & Safety Partner, Leanne Dearlove and Solicitor, Karlena Fuata, as they explore the practical and legal considerations surrounding dismissals during probation and the critical role HR plays in the process. 

Leanne and Karlena will unpack common issues experienced with probationary period terminations and the steps HR teams can take to ensure the process is well-managed and compliant with general protections and discrimination laws.  

Leanne Dearlove
Partner | QLD 

Karlena Fuata 
Solicitor | NSW