The State of Industrial Relations in 2025: Discussion with Jaclyn Symes MP

The Industrial Relations Society of Victoria and the Law Institute of Victoria warmly invite you to this year’s Women in Industrial Relations Event. All are welcome! 

The Industrial Relations and Employment Law (IR/ER) community have experienced myriad of changes over the past few years with significant reforms to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). As part of some of these reforms, their full impact are yet to be seen.

This year’s keynote speaker is the recently appointed Treasurer of Victoria and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Honourable Jaclyn Symes MP. This event will commence with an address by Minister Symes, and then followed by an opportunity for attendees to share their reflections on the state of IR/ER in 2025. As part of this event, Minister Symes would love to hear from the audience directly about:

• The big issues affecting the IR/ER sphere in Victoria, with a focus on those impacting women;
• the audience’s experience with recent legislative changes, including what reforms they see are/are not working and what further changes are required; and
• What can the Victorian State Government do or what changes should it advocate for with its Federal counterpart.

There will also be a networking opportunity with canapés and drinks provided prior to and following the discussion which will start at 6:30 pm sharp. 

About Jaclyn Symes MP

After finishing year 12 and growing up in Benalla, Jaclyn moved to Melbourne in 1997 to undertake a Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University and was admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer in 2006. During her early career, Jaclyn worked as carer for people with intellectual disabilities. This experience made her acutely aware of the struggles that those with a disability experience daily and the importance of the Government putting in place the right policies to address their challenges. Following her time as a carer, Jaclyn was drawn to the union movement and took up a role with the Australian Services Union as an Industrial Officer. 

To make a real difference, Jaclyn realised that she would need to influence policy. This led her to a role as an Advisor to the former Bracks/Brumby Labor Government working for the then Deputy Premier and Attorney General Rob Hulls. Following a change in Government in 2010, Jaclyn became Senior Legal and Justice Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Andrews. At the November 2014 election, Jaclyn was elected to Parliament as a Member for Northern Victoria. After her re-election in the 2018 Victorian State Election, Jaclyn was appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Resources and Deputy Leader of the Legislative Council. In 2019, Jaclyn became the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. Until 2024, Jaclyn was the Attorney General and Minister for Emergency Services before a change in portfolios led her to become the Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Regional Development. She remains the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. 

Jaclyn is passionate about social justice and hard work. She values ensuring equity, access to justice and believes in an individual’s opportunity to have a “fair go”. Jaclyn believes that good representation involves advocacy, action, activism, and accountability and she is passionate about building the strength of the Northern Victorian region, making positive changes for the residents in its many towns. Jaclyn is committed to supporting major projects, creating jobs for the future, and building stronger regional communities. 

Ministries 

• Treasurer since December 2024
• Minister for Industrial Relations since December 2024 
• Minister for Regional Development since December 2024