Keynote
Andrew Lalor, Acting National Data Commissioner, Office of the National Data Commissioner
Andrew Lalor is the Acting National Data Commissioner and oversees the Data Availability and Transparency Act scheme. He works on promoting safe, transparent, and efficient sharing of public sector data, strengthening public trust in government data use, and supporting best practice data governance. Previously, Andrew led whole of government public sector data policy and strategy; cross-jurisdictional data and digital ministerial engagement; and assurance of the Australian Government’s high-cost and high-risk projects.
Moderator
Marcel van Kints, ABS Chief Data Officer and General Manager of the Statistical Infrastructure and Integration Division
Marcel van Kints is the Chief Data Officer at the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Marcel leads the ABS Statistical Infrastructure and Integration Division with responsibilities for integrated data; statistical location, registers, and standards infrastructure; as well as dissemination services. He has extensive experience in macroeconomic statistics, international work at the United Nations and has authored multiple academic papers.
Panellists
John Shepherd, First Assistant Secretary, Digital ID and Data Policy Division, Department of Finance
John Shepherd leads Australia's national Digital ID policy and system development at the Department of Finance. He oversees Digital ID legislation, regulatory arrangements, and cross-government data policy collaboration. With over 33 years in the Australian Public Service, his career spans leadership roles at the ABS and ATO, where he focused on major data programs and large-scale digital transformation.
Rhiannon Pilkington, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, Adelaide University
Rhiannon Pilkington is an Associate Professor at the Adelaide University and co-Director of the BetterStart group and BEBOLD platform. An epidemiologist specializing in linked administrative data, she co-leads the Thriving Families initiative. Her research evaluates the impact of policies on early childhood, child protection, and youth justice. Rhiannon collaborates with organizations across Australia to bring a public health perspective to service design and delivery.
