Successful leaders trust their instincts, always listen, and use their voice.
Julia Banks is an author, leadership consultant, keynote speaker, opinion writer, and lawyer - who runs her own consultancy business.
An established thought leader - Julia Banks’ broad experience spans across the public and private sectors, her term in federal politics and her consulting business. Julia’s expertise and advocacy focus on leadership, safe, respectful and positive workplace cultures, governance and risk and issues management.
Julia Banks has served in the Australian Federal Parliament as both a government and Independent MP, and has held General Counsel, Executive Director, Company Secretary and Board member roles in global blue-chip companies, as well as several non-executive director and advisory roles in Australian organisations.
Julia has led large and small teams and worked in boardrooms and courtrooms predominantly in the corporate, commercial, governance, risk and issues management, and diversity and inclusion space.
During her federal parliamentary term, Julia served as a government MP and then as an independent MP. During that time, her primary areas of advocacy at a national level were in relation to gender and cultural equality, climate change action and humanitarian issues.
Julia’s consulting and speaking work across workplace sectors has harnessed her deep understanding and ability to tailor her consulting work, keynote speeches and panel discussions across workplace sectors - ranging from the law, manufacturing, professional and finance services, construction, consumer marketing and retail, sport, academia, mining, public sector organisations and local, state and federal levels of government.
An experienced keynote speaker, panel member and moderator, Julia also regularly authors opinion pieces that have been published in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, The Saturday Paper & The New Daily and appears in radio and television and mainstream media interviews regarding current affairs.
Julia's bestselling book ‘Power Play, Breaking through bias barriers and boys’ clubs’ - part memoir’ meets resource guide for those aspiring to leadership positions - received excellent reviews and was nominated in the 2022 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Julia Banks graduated in Arts & Law from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Governance Institute.
Talking Points
Business & Organisational Workplace Culture
Based on Julia’s extensive experience in public life and the corporate sector she will tailor her speech to the level of audience across both the private and public sectors and academic sporting and other educational institutions. Business & Organisational Workplace Culture
She covers the topics aligned to her extensive experience in the areas of workplace culture, diversity and inclusion, trust ethics and governance, risk and crisis management and the role of trust and values of doing the right thing in authentic leadership.
Trust, Governance and Ethics
Good governance, ethics and trust must be lived and breathed by every individual in the organisation. In the private and public sector, in sports, academia, the arts and in politics and at all levels of government. An organisation’s brand and reputation for employees, consumers, and all stakeholders are contingent upon good governance.Trust, Governance and Ethics
The hallmark characteristics of best practice of good governance constructive action, authenticity, courage, and resilience. Listening to experts and feedback from all stakeholders and regular and clear communication Why? Because it's only when these things happen that the ongoing success of induvial leaders and organisations can be assured.
Key Takeouts:
- Be Strong. Be Accountable. Take Responsibility
Courage and resilience are required in good governance particularly in crisis risk or reputation management situations. These situations are disruptive and intense, but they always acutely define leadership skills
- Be yourself
Authentic leadership and trusting your instincts will rarely let you down. Speaking your truth even if it is your truth to power and staying aligned to your moral compass. Staying silent or being induced into silence is the single biggest killer of ethical behaviour.
- Listen and Communicate
Listening to experts and all stakeholders is key in harnessing good governance and authentic courageous leadership should always prevail.
Breaking through Bias and Barriers in the Workplace
Julia Banks recently released bestselling book, PowerPlay: Breaking through bias, barriers and boys clubs reveals the unvarnished realities of any workplace where power disparities and gender politics collide: from the unequal opportunities, casual sexism and misogyny to pressures around looks age and family responsibilities. Breaking through Bias and Barriers in the Workplace
In this Keynote Julia shares personal stories of her own and others and practical advice and tailors this to the audience across any workplace sector. It contains key messages inspirational and practical for those aspiring to lead and for leaders.
Video
Former Liberal MP Julia Banks says entering politics was like 'stepping back in time' | 7.30
Former Liberal MP Julia Banks sheds new light on her experiences of a "Mad Men"-esque culture at the heart of federal politics in an exclusive TV interview with 7.30's Laura Tingle. Ms Banks has alleged she was subjected to an unwanted sexual advance at work from a cabinet minister in the Turnbull government. Ms Banks was the only Liberal MP to win a seat from Labor at the 2016 election, but ended up quitting the party after the Morrison leadership spill, sitting briefly as an independent until the subsequent election in 2019.Julia Banks | Introduction | Saxton Speakers Bureau
Julia Banks is an experienced Business Leader and Company Director, a former Member of the Parliament of Australia and a leadership, governance, risk, issues and crisis management expert. Julia’s extensive business experience includes positions as General Counsel, Executive Company Director, Company Secretary and Head of Risk and Compliance for some of the world’s most recognisable blue-chip companies in manufacturing, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and consumer healthcare.Julia Banks | Trust, Governance and Ethics | Saxton Speakers Bureau
Good governance, ethics and trust have to be lived and breathed by every individual in the organisation. Good Governance is imperative in the context of crisis, risk and issues management. A company’s brand and reputation for employees, consumers, and all stakeholders are contingent upon good governance.Julia Banks - Maiden Speech to Parliament
Maiden speech to the House of Representatives by Julia Banks, Liberal member for Chisholm (Vic).Julia Banks visits Avila College
Julia Banks has given several aspirational apolitical speeches to senior students such as this one to the students of Avila College. To reach high for their goals based on their instinct and whats in their hearts. In these speeches Julia shares her personal story of her migrant heritage and her journey through the corporate ladder.Women in Australian politics panel | All About Women 2019
What needs to change to make more women want to run for public office in Australia? At All About Women 2019, four of Australia’s most senior politicians crossed party lines to discuss their experiences working in parliament. Labor Party's Linda Burney, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Julie Bishop and Independent Julia Banks had a frank discussion about the pitfalls and rewards of their jobs, and how we can shift the culture so girls who want to grow up to be Prime Minister are inspired, not discouraged. The session was chaired by Jacqueline Maley.Saxton Fireside Chat with Business Leader & Former Federal MP, Julia Banks
Julia Banks is an experienced Business Leader and Company Director, a former Member of the Parliament of Australia, and a leadership, governance and risk management expert. Julia’s extensive business experience includes positions such as General Counsel, Company Secretary and Company Director for some of the worlds blue chip companies. Julia is an advocate for gender equality and Special Advisor to Gender Equity Victoria. In this session, Julia and Anne will discuss Julia’s life and work in both the corporate space and politics, her leadership experience in crisis & risk management and her advocacy for equal representation of women in leadership positions, in politics, business and all industry sectors.VLGA Connect Special Episode FastTrack 2023 Driving Culture to 2024
Julia Banks is an outstanding parliamentarian with a life’s experience in the Business world. Her book Power Play is “Real raw human and forensic." ... keep reading The Hon Malcolm Turnbull, 29th Prime Minister of Australia
Julia’s presentation was thoughtful and insightful, focused on our event themes of safety, culture and leadership. Her openness and honesty in talking about her professional and personal experiences resonated particularly well with the executive-level audience.
It’s definitely a great day in the office when you have guest speaker Julia Banks come in to discuss ethics. Much respect can be paid to people that stand up for what is right, especially in times of resistance.
Julia Banks was the best rated speaker for the day.
Wonderful guest speaker and focus on authentic self.
The powerful cohort who run our major organisations should stop the diversity box ticking and read PowerPlay instead.
Julia was inspiring and authentic and made our event so successful. We were so lucky that Julia was able and willing to speak at our IWD Book Club. She was inspiring and authentic and made our event so successful.
Julia’s session was great, she had really interesting insights and a depth of knowledge across issues from both her corporate and public career - we had great feedback
Great session. Very insightful into integrity and leadership.
Great to have an opportunity to hear {Julia Banks speak} and sharing her thoughtful insights and interesting perspective.
Julia Banks is a competent, smart woman who has moved the conversation forward about the treatment of women in politics and other workplaces. Her book Is brutal and astounding. I couldn’t stop reading.
