Migration law experts convene in Canberra for the 2025 Immigration Law Conference
28 March 2025
Caption: Law Council President, Juliana Warner opening the 2025 Immigration Law Conference.
The annual Immigration Law Conference brings together the most passionate, dedicated, and knowledgeable advocates in the migration field to examine Australia’s migration policies, the challenges we face and the best path forward.
This year, the conference was hosted in Canberra at the Hyatt Hotel on 19–21 March 2025, with the theme ‘Challenges in Migration’.
Over the course of the conference, attendees explored the migration law landscape and navigated important topics including human rights and migration law, the role of migration in society, and the potential for AI to assist in the profession’s work and the administration of justice.
On the opening day of the conference, Law Council of Australia President, Juliana Warner spoke of how the Law Council of Australia remains greatly concerned about several aspects of Australia’s immigration laws and policies.
During her presentation, Juliana expressed the Law Council’s dismay in regards to the rushed passage of several migration laws that have very serious consequences. Of particular concern, is the fact these laws undermine Australia’s rule of law principles and Australia’s obligations under core international human rights law treaties, including potentially non-refoulement obligations that protect people from being removed from Australia to face persecution or worse.
With an election looming, Juliana said, the Law Council will be asking all candidates to commit to improving migration reform processes, particularly for people seeking asylum, in immigration detention, subject to visa cancellation and refusal decisions, or subject to removal from Australia; and for an independent review of the recently passed migration laws.
The conference also included presentations from: the Hon Justice Melissa Perry and the Hon Justice Stephen McDonald from the Federal Court, as well as the National Judicial Registrar, Migration, Simon Haag; His Honour Judge Christopher Kendall AM from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2); and Deputy Presidents of the Administrative Review Tribunal, Kate Millar and Simone Burford.
Another notable highlight was the announcement of the Young Migration Lawyer of the Year Award, which was awarded to Gretel Emerson.
Caption L-R: Migration Law Committee Chair, Carina Ford, Young Migration Lawyer of the Year Award winner, Gretel Emerson, and
Migration Law Committee Chair, Chris Spentzaris.
Gretel Emerson is a lawyer specialising in representing refugees and asylum seekers who fear persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or sex characteristics. They lead the LGBTQIA+ Safety Program at the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS), where they manage the growing demand for this service, run training and education across the legal sector, and advocate for systemic change and law reform.
Gretel is passionate about supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly those who are seeking permanent safety in Australia, and is dedicated to creating a comfortable and accessible environment for them to engage with legal processes.
“Since being admitted to practice as a lawyer in NSW just over two years ago, Gretel has already made an outstanding contribution to the field of migration law in Australia through their excellence as a lawyer for refugees and people seeking asylum who fear persecution due to their SOGIESC,” Law Council of Australia President, Ms Juliana Warner said.
“How much Gretel has already achieved and contributed is awe-inspiring. They are a very worthy recipient of this year’s Young Migration Lawyer of the Year Award, and I am confident they will continue to make a positive difference to refugee justice in this country.”
Overall, the conference was an enormous success – which left attendees with a fresh sense of inspiration and an enhanced comprehension of the intricate world of immigration law.
Last Updated on 31/03/2025