Events

Substance use is frequently raised in parenting disputes, yet the presence of alcohol or other drugs alone tells us little about a person's capacity to parent safely. How should clinicians and legal practitioners interpret toxicology results? When does substance use translate into impairment or risk, and when might assumptions about harm be unsupported by the evidence? Join an interdisciplinary panel exploring the science of substance use and its practical application in family court proceedings. The session will provide an accessible introduction to toxicology, examine how drug type, dosage, timing, and frequency influence impairment and functioning, and discuss the implications for parenting capacity, medication interactions, and risk assessment. Drawing on real case examples, including matters where toxicology evidence was central to findings of significant harm, and others where allegations of substance use were not supported by the scientific evidence, the panel will consider how psychologists, psychiatrists, and lawyers can interpret toxicology results to inform clinical opinions and legal decision-making. This promises to be a practical, thought-provoking session for clinicians, legal practitioners, and family report writers involved in family law matters. About the presenter: Daniel Patterson is a forensic toxicologist specialising in drugs of abuse, with extensive experience providing expert evidence across a range of jurisdictions. He regularly appears in the Family Court (FCFCoA), as well as in criminal courts from Local to Supreme level in New South Wales and Queensland, and in civil matters before the Supreme Court of Queensland. He has also appeared in industrial relations forums, including the Fair Work Commission, and in tribunals such as NCAT. Registration for this event is essential. Please click here to register.

ANZAPPL (SA Branch) is pleased to present a half-day conference examining the complex challenges and emerging issues at the intersection of young people, psychology, and the justice system. Bringing together a leading judicial officer, legal and clinical practitioners, and researchers, this conference will explore contemporary issues affecting young people who come into contact with the justice system. Attendees will gain practical insights into current research, legal developments, and evidence-based approaches to assessment, intervention, and engagement. Sessions will cover: Developing practices around expert evidence about child development and behaviour in sexual abuse cases The vulnerabilities of children when interviewed as suspects Cultural awareness and effective engagement with African youth The psychology of youth gang offending and evidence-based treatment responses The conference features an outstanding line up speakers including: Her Honour Judge Lisa Dunlop (District Court of South Australia) Professor Robyn Young (Flinders University) Denis Yengi (SA Multicultural Commission / African Communities Council of South Australia) Lisa Grobleben (LG Clinical) Andrew Culshaw (Len King Chambers) Sari Krishnan (Legal Services Commission) Ellie Minney (Forensic Mental Health Service / EM Psychology). Whether you work in psychology, law, child protection, youth justice, education, or related fields, this conference offers a valuable opportunity to hear from experts at the forefront of research and practice. Places are limited. Please click here to register.

His Honour Justice Vandongen will share his reflections on the evolving legal landscape over his extensive career in criminal law, including interesting cases, ethical considerations working with mentally impaired accused and/or accused with cognitive/developmental disorders as prosecutor/defence/judge and how psychologists and psychiatrists can best assist the Court. Justice Vandongen graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia in 1991 and was admitted to legal practice in Western Australia in 1992. His Honour joined the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in 1996 and worked as a Crown Prosecutor in New South Wales before returning to Western Australia to take up the role of Consultant State Prosecutor in 2006. In 2008, his Honour joined the Independent Bar and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2010. Justice Vandongen was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2022 and as a judge of the Court of Appeal in 2023. Justice Vandongen was appointed to the Federal Court on 17 December 2024. This event is a collaboration between The Piddington Society and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL). Please click here to register.

We are pleased to invite you to the upcoming launch of Graham Loughlin's biography of South Australian lawyer Paris Nesbit KC by former High Court Justice the Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG. Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr William Brereton will give a commentary on Paris Nesbit from a modern psychiatric perspective, comparing and contrasting his experiences with psychiatry today, and on forensic psychiatry, stigma, and the challenges of being a professional with major mental illness. Attendees will be invited to participate in a Q&A session on this theme moderated by William Boucaut KC. Event details: Date: Friday 22 May 2026 Time: 5:15 PM to 7:15 PM Location: Foyer AB, Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide SA Cost: Free, but registration essential (link). ANZAPPL (SA) is proud to present this event in collaboration with the Law Society of South Australia, the Adelaide University School of Law, Legal Services Commission, South Australian Bar Association, and Pride in Law, reflecting the intersection of law, mental health, and professional wellbeing. Paris Nesbit KC (1852–1927) was a brilliant yet controversial leader of the South Australian Bar for over 20 years, celebrated as a cultured scholar, poet, reformer and humanitarian, but criticised by some as erratic and egotistical. Intellectually gifted yet affected by mental illness, he was twice imprisoned and repeatedly confined to asylums. A prolific writer and lecturer inspired by liberal and Christian socialist ideas, he championed numerous social and legal reforms. Paris Nesbit KC: Quixotic Counsel explores his remarkable and turbulent life, tracing his career from articled clerk to King’s Counsel across five decades of South Australian legal history. Following the session, attendees are invited to stay for networking with light refreshments. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, with the author present for signing.

The 2026 Annual General Meeting of ANZAPPL NSW will take place at 7.00pm on Monday 2 March via Zoom. Members please click here to access relevant forms and the meeting link.

Dr Andrew Khoo now holds the Position of Medical Director of Military & Veterans Programs at Ramsay Clinic New Farm. He is the Deputy Chair of the RANZCP Committee for the Military, Veterans and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network. He has represented the RANZCP at multiple government, Productivity Commission and Royal Commission inquiries. He is a member of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Expert Advisory Group. He is Chair of the Open Arms National Advisory Committee. He holds a Deputy Chair position for the Queensland Office of Industrial Relations Medical Assessment Tribunals - Psychiatric. Dr Khoo has externally reviewed mental health policy for the Australian Federal Police and the Queensland Police Service. He is the Principle Psychiatric Advisor to the Gallipoli Medical Research (GMR) and a member of the GMR Research Advisory Committee. He has chaired, been interviewed, presented or participated on panels around Australia and across all media platforms on Post Trauma psychological reactions and Military, Veteran and Emergency Service Workers’ mental health. He holds academic title with the University of Queensland within the School of Medicine and has published and continues to publish academic papers in peer reviewed psychiatric journals. He attained his fellowship from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in 2002, receiving a College medal for his final year dissertation on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He has, for the last 28 years, overseen the provision of a nationally recognised CBT based group therapy program for PTSD previously at the Toowong Private Hospital and now at Ramsay Clinic New Farm. He was Director of Medical Services and Chair of the Medical Council at the Toowong Private Hospital between 2016 and 2025. This seminar will take place online from 12.30 - 1.30 AEST on Thursday 26 February. Attendance at this seminar is free for members but registration is essential. Please click here to register.