Program speakers

Chris Povey

Chris has worked for almost 20 years with and for communities facing significant human rights issues, including those experiencing or at risk of homelessness and those with mental health diagnoses. He has worked in casework, policy and leadership roles with Tenants Victoria, Victoria Legal Aid, Consumer Action Law Centre, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, and Justice Connect. Through his various roles Chris has seen first-hand the impact of innovative and data-driven legal help. He leads a multidisciplinary team that understands the importance of tools and services to connect people and community groups with the help they need, and how to make systemic changes that progress social justice.

Chris currently serves as a member of the Victorian Federation of Community Legal Centres board, the board of the Australian Pro Bono Centre and is Deputy Chair of the New South Wales Legal Assistance Forum. He previously served on the board of the Council to Homeless Persons, and in 2010, travelled to England, Scotland, the US and Canada as a Churchill Fellow to investigate programs to support tenants experiencing significant vulnerability, and stop homelessness before it starts.