CA ANZ & GIA Panel Toowoomba- Ethics Under Pressure: Making the Hard Call

This face‑to‑face interactive panel examines how ethical decision‑making changes under pressure—when time is short, information is incomplete, incentives are misaligned, and trust in what’s “true” is declining. Drawing on insights from the 2025 Ethics Index, the discussion focuses on practical tools and governance habits that help professionals make consistent, defensible calls.

The session includes a hypothetical ethical dilemma/case study, inviting the panel and audience to pressure‑test options in real time—highlighting trade‑offs across legal/regulatory duties, organizational culture and community expectations. The panel will also explore how AI‑influenced analysis and content introduces new accountability issues, including transparency and disclosure expectations, bias, and the risk of over‑reliance on automated outputs.

Your ticket will include 1.5 hours of CPD, plus light refreshments and drinks

Learning outcomes:

1. Identify common “pressure factors” that erode ethical judgement (time, incentives, reputation).
2. Apply a practical ethics stress‑test to decisions where duties and expectations collide.
3. Recognise governance guardrails and escalation pathways that support consistent decisions.
4. Assess AI‑related ethical accountability risks (bias, transparency, disclosure, over‑reliance).
5. Practice decision‑making through an interactive case study with peer discussion.

Overview

Speakers

David Schenk
QLD State Manager | Governance Institute of Australia

David brings more than 20 years’ experience across event management, marketing, sponsorship and organisational leadership, spanning corporate events, major festivals and large-scale live music events.

His background includes leading teams through complex operational environments, including the evacuation of more than ten thousand people during a weather-related emergency, which shaped his strong interest in practical risk management and organisational resilience.

Ben Horner FCA

Director | McConachie Stedman

Ben is an experienced audit and assurance professional who brings extensive expertise in financial reporting, auditing standards, and the not-for-profit sector. In 2014, he was appointed as a Director, and today he focuses on working closely with clients, mentoring emerging professionals, and contributing to strategic leadership and planning.

Ben is actively involved with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, serving as a State Councillor, a member of the Regional and Rural Sector Committee, and Chair of the Darling Downs and South West Queensland Committee.

Robbie Sinclair FGIA

QLD State Council Member | GIA

Robbie Sinclair is a senior risk, resilience and governance professional with more than 20 years’ experience helping organisations navigate complexity, uncertainty and critical decision-making.

He has held executive and senior leadership roles across infrastructure, resources, health, education, government and technology sectors, including serving as Chief Information Security Officer at Telstra Health, Director Assurance at the University of Southern Queensland, Manager Risk Systems at HQPlantations, and Risk Specialist for the Ranger Uranium Mine Rehabilitation Project with Bechtel.

Rob has a strong track record of advising boards, executives and operational leaders on enterprise risk management, resilience, assurance, information security, and the integration of risk thinking into strategic and operational decision-making.

Venue supported by:

Details

WHEN

WHERE

PLANNER