Influencing Policy: How to advocate effectively

Name: Influencing Policy: How to advocate effectively
Start: 2026-04-15T09:45:00+11:00
End: 2026-04-15T09:45:00+11:00
Location: Radisson on Flagstaff

About

Given the impending 2026 Victorian election - and at a time when all government jurisdictions are experiencing serious budgetary issues - effective government relations have never been more critical.

Neville Mackieson Consulting and John Lenders, former Victorian Treasurer, present a half-day interactive skills workshop that aims to help improve the quality and outcomes of your organisation's advocacy to governments and the community.

For an organisation to influence policy and secure government funding for services and programs into the future, it must have a strategic process for developing and maintaining effective government relations.

Effective government relations and advocacy are essential to influence the ways in which governments understand and respond to policy problems. Effective government relations create a channel to ensure that key decision makers know about an organisation’s work, view of the world and, importantly, proposed solutions.

Effective government relations require systematic and consistent narrative building to establish an organisation as a trusted source, expert and thought leader, ensuring it remains 'front of mind' for governments (and opposition) during critical moments – including electoral and budget cycles and policy development opportunities.

Participants in the workshop will:
- Learn about the cycles and machinations of government - including electoral and budget cycles
- Explore the various means through which to influence
- Discuss examples of effective messaging - through submissions, thought leadership, meetings with key decision makers
- Participate in small group discussion with guest speaker, former Victorian Treasurer, John Lenders
- Have access to tailored follow-up to assist your organisation to maximise its advocacy

Speakers:

Catherine Neville - Catherine is co-founder and director of Neville Mackieson Consulting (NMC). Catherine has dedicated her career to making positive change for people facing significant challenges. She has worked as a social work practitioner with children and families in the Victorian government and in London; has been a senior executive in a leading social change organisation (Jesuit Social Services); and a political adviser in the Bracks, Brumby and Andrews Labor Governments. Catherine has led high-performing teams in the community sector and the Victorian Government to advocate and implement system change, nationally and within Victoria. Catherine builds relationships, finds solutions for tough problems, and never gives up on pressing the case for what she believes is right.

Dr Penny Zagarelou-Mackieson - Penny is co-founder and director of Neville Mackieson Consulting (NMC). A social worker, Penny has worked with all three levels of government. She has performed a range of community development, practitioner, supervisory, management, research and policy roles, mainly related to children and families – including in the child protection and intercountry adoption programs. Penny completed PhD research on the introduction and implementation of Permanent Care Orders in Victoria; served as a board member of two NGOs, including as Chair of one; and worked in research and policy roles at Jesuit Social Services before re-establishing NMC with Catherine. Penny has also authored two books and co-authored a third.

John Lenders - John is a former Treasurer in the Victorian Government. He has held numerous other Ministerial positions, including Minister for Financial Services; Education; Finance; Transport Accident Commission (TAC); and Major Projects. Since 1994, John has been involved in/led numerous Labor Party campaign activities, both at the Victorian and National levels. John holds a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Education. John has always been values driven in his work and, since retiring from politics, has kept very busy with volunteer work, including as a member of Jesuit Social Services’ Property, and Risk & Finance Board Committees. He is also kept extra busy with his five grandchildren!