Proximity is now SPA LEARN MORE 
CANBERRA – Wednesday 4 February, 2026: Award winning multidisciplinary advisor to government, SPA Australia, invites public sector professionals to hear from some of Australia’s most experienced public servants at its annual free professional development event, The Day Out by SPA Australia, on Thursday 5 March at Hotel Realm, Canberra.
At the free full day event, speakers will unpack how to tackle today’s greatest challenges as well as how to harness opportunities to achieve government objectives. Confirmed speakers include Heather Cook, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission; Alison Frame, Secretary, Department of Veterans’ Affairs; Bronwyn Fagan, Assistant Secretary – Commercial and Information Law Branch, Department of Home Affairs; Kate Lalor, Chief Counsel Legal Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and David Cooke Chief Counsel Corporate, Legal Services – Corporate Division, Services Australia.
SPA Australia’s Managing Director Zoe Lynam says delegates can expect to receive plenty of useful information on current topics across consulting, legal, commercial and analytics practice areas, as well as practical advice to action immediately.
“Following Proximity’s transition to SPA Australia, we’re delighted to continue the tradition of The Day Out, our fourth annual flagship professional development event tailored to government attendees. Knowledge sharing is part of our DNA and the agenda covers diverse topics presented by highly regarded keynote speakers,” said Lynam.
Topics range from leading with integrity across the public sector, to practical advice on how to avoid becoming a procurement headline, and leading-edge techniques to support robust decision-making.
Delegates can also join the ever-popular ethics session where expert panellists weigh in on sticky ethical scenarios, while other sessions look into whether emojis have legal effect, recent administrative law decisions, as well as negotiation tactics and techniques to deliver value for money.
“As a government focused organisation, we’re hyper aware of the ever-changing and unique landscape that public sector employees operate within. We are committed to empowering and enabling our clients and are generous when it comes to sharing our expertise and trusted advice to help our clients go further. We are looking forward to unveiling a raft of insights and seeing new and familiar faces on the day,” concluded Lynam.
Networking opportunities will be available enabling attendees to connect and collaborate with colleagues, and others across the sector. Plus, refreshments will be provided all day, and breakout lounge areas are available throughout the day.
The Day Out by SPA Australia is free for SPA Australia clients and government employees, but spaces are limited and are filling up fast, so be sure to register so you don’t miss out.
Register now and view the full agenda here: The Day Out by SPA Australia – SPA Australia
The essentials
Date: Thursday 5 March 2025
Location: Hotel Realm Canberra – 18 National Circuit, Barton, ACT
Time: An all-day event, with registrations opening from 8:30am, a 9am kick-off and post-event networking starting from 5:10pm
Cost: Free
CPD Points: Gain CPD points for ACT Legal Practitioners, and CIPS
ENDS
About Systems Planning & Analysis, Australia (SPA Australia)
SPA Australia is a leading provider of integrated consulting, legal, commercial, and analytics services to government.
We bring together brilliant minds to collaborate with our clients to solve their greatest challenges. Our multidisciplinary approach, combined with trusted advisory and leading-edge technology and analysis, takes our clients further.
For more than five decades, Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA), SPA Australia’s parent company, has specialised in providing analysis and data-driven insights to clients across the world with a deep expertise in the defence, intelligence, and homeland security portfolios.
In 2025, SPA Australia acquired Proximity, a well-established and highly regarded professional services firm with specialist expertise in delivering legal, consulting, and commercial advisory services to government.
Our values are deeply embedded in all that we do. We’re proud of our team of genuine people, we take a bold approach and think differently, creating innovative strategies and approaches. We provide helpful outcomes and generously share our experience and knowledge, ensuring our trusted advice and intelligent guidance is objective, grounded in data, enriched by experience, and reflects a deep understanding of our clients’ goals.
Our team has worked with all major Commonwealth public sector agencies, including the Department of Defence, Department of Home Affairs, Australian Taxation Office, Department of Health, Services Australia, and the Department of Social Services to name a few.
Today, SPA has more than 3,000 employees in 23 office locations within the US, UK and Australia. In Australia, more than 130 employees are based across Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
For more information: SPA Australia – Smart solutions, driven by data.
