Business Lunch Club with Hon Brendan O'Connor
The perfect opportunity to network over a delicious two-course meal accompanied by drinks, guest presentation and thought-provoking conversations.
This month we welcome the Hon Brendan O'Connor, a former senior Cabinet Minister and long-serving Member of Parliament, with deep expertise in workforce development, small business policy, and economic reform. Most recently serving as Minister for Skills and Training in the Albanese Government. With a background in law, industrial relations, and executive training from Harvard, Brendan has worked across government, industry, and unions to build policy that supports innovation, inclusion, and economic growth.
At this Business Lunch Club event, Brendan will share insights on leadership, reform, and what Australian business needs to thrive in an increasingly complex economic landscape.
Brendan is the son of Michael and Philomena; his parents were both born in Ireland, his mother in Thurles and his father in Tralee, and his Irish and Australian journey is one we also look forward to hearing about.
Ticket $110pp - Highlights & inclusions:
Lunch: Sit down to a two-course in The Wild Geese Hotel Bistro, accompanied by a selection of fine wines, beers and soft drinks.
Member Lounge: After lunch, move upstairs to the Club Room for continued afternoon networking and drinks.
Registration required in advance.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:
Brendan O’Connor is a former senior Cabinet Minister with more than two decades of experience shaping Australia’s economic, employment and small business policy. As a long-serving Member of Parliament from 2001 to 2025 and a key figure in multiple Labor governments, Brendan brings deep insight into the intersection of government, business, and workforce transformation.
Most recently serving as Minister for Skills and Training in the Albanese Government (2022–2024), Brendan led national initiatives to strengthen the vocational education and training (VET) sector, tackle skill shortages, and boost productivity in key industries. His earlier work as Minister for Employment, Small Business, Housing, and Immigration saw him drive policy reform that directly impacted employers, industry groups and job seekers alike.
A vocal advocate for Australian enterprise and innovation, Brendan established the country’s first Small Business Commissioner and played a leading role in overhauling job support services with the launch of Job Services Australia, streamlining access for both employers and workers. His work also extended into international trade and industry protections, modernising anti-dumping laws to support Australian manufacturers and SMEs competing globally.
With a background in industrial relations and law — and early leadership as Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Services Union — Brendan has always maintained a strong focus on workforce engagement, economic inclusion, and the role of skills in driving business success. He holds degrees in Arts and Law from Monash University and completed executive training at Harvard University’s Trade Union Program, further grounding his strategic understanding of policy, labour markets, and economic development.
Throughout his career, Brendan worked closely with business leaders, unions, and government stakeholders to deliver practical, evidence-based solutions to complex national challenges. His political legacy is marked by a pragmatic, consultative approach and a clear vision for how a skilled, adaptable workforce can underpin long-term economic resilience.