This post is authored by Dr Felicity Small | Dr Lucia Wuersch | Assoc Prof Alain Neher
From 26 to 28 November, Charles Sturt’s Business School hosted the 15th Australasian Business Ethics Network (ABEN) Annual Conference 2025 and HDR Workshop for the first time in regional Australia on Bathurst Campus. The Conference theme was “On the Road” – Making ethical and sustainable decisions in an age of disruption.
The Conference brought together about 90 participants from Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Thailand, and Vietnam to explore ethical and sustainable business decisions in an age of disruption. More than 70 people joined in person, while nearly 20 people participated virtually. Among the participants were 18 School of Business and broader CSU staff members, many of whom were volunteering and presenting.
Program highlights
The three-day event offered 40 in-person and 13 online presentations from academics and professional staff. The HDR Workshop included a session on giving and receiving constructive feedback, followed by 18 presentations by HDR students.
In addition to the presentations from participants, we enjoyed three special sessions, beginning with Professor Clive Hamilton, who delivered the keynote address on “Entropy and Ethics in the Anthropocene.” Clive’s public lecture addressed the need for systems-level change, and asked the question: How can ethical business decision-makers manage the ‘flow of energy’ to support ecosystems, and help alleviate the stresses that our modern society is currently placing on the planet and future generations?
Pictured inset right: Professor Clive Hamilton.
Dr Isabel Rimanoczy zoomed in from Florida, USA, and delivered an interactive presentation on her Sustainability Mindset approach, asking participants to evaluate the conventional thinking paradigm, including ways of knowing and being, with a new way of thinking about business, ethics and sustainable decision-making. She challenged the audience to shift the focus from ‘me’ to ‘all’, and to embrace a ‘yes’ and ‘both’ mindset, to include both the short-term and long-term views, and be open to ways of giving and receiving.
Finally, Professor Brendon Lyon shared an update on his current legal case following actions as a whistle-blower. His presentation of “Watchdogs or lapdogs? Reconceptualising the substance, incentive and economic implications of the Big Four under Australia’s Professional Standards Acts” revealed the continuing potential for corruption and the moral hazards associated with the current legislative protections within the Accounting and Auditing Sector.
The ABEN program also featured several social and cultural events, including a traditional Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony by Wiradyuri Elder Uncle Jade Flynn.
A bus tour around Mount Panorama/Wahluu followed by a visit to the National Motor Racing Museum were enjoyed by many Conference participants – with one person finding a record of their own race car driving days.
Picture inset left: Shann Turnbull finds his race car record at the National Motor Racing Museum.
The Conference dinner at Rydges Mount Panorama on Thursday evening was accompanied by singing and yarning. When the Creation Story of Mount Wahluu was told by Wiradyuri Elder Uncle Jade Flynn, dinner guests turned to watch the sunset, seeing the mountain reveal its shape of the reclined body of a dead warrior transformed into stone for eternity.
On Friday, Conference participants enjoyed an Eco-walk and picnic lunch on Boundary Road Reserve, guided by the Local Landcare Group – the kangaroos were a particular favourite for many people.
Pictured inset right: Eco-walk on Boundary Road Reserve.
Media reports
The CSU News ‘Conference ‘On the road’ to ethical business decisions’ captured media attention. To promote the ABEN event and encourage local engagement, Lucia Wuersch participated in a live interview with 2BS – Bathurst’s local radio station. Additionally, Felicity Small gave a live interview with ABC Orange and a pre-recorded session with ABC Regional News.
Thanks for contributions and support
On a very positive note, many HDR students were able to attend in person, thanks to the ABEN Conference Committee securing a $17,000 grant from the Society for the Advancement of Management Studies (SAMS), a UK-based charity dedicated to advancing education in management studies.
A special thanks goes to Professor Zahid Islam, Associate Dean Research for the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, for formally opening this year’s ABEN Conference on behalf of Charles Sturt University.
Pictured inset right: ADR Professor Zahid Islam opens the ABEN Conference on behalf of Charles Sturt University.
The ABEN Committee and CSU Organising Committee also thank the School of Business for helping to bring this event to the regions and providing a valuable opportunity for HDR students, academics and professional staff to connect with industry experts on the important topic of Business Ethics.
We especially thank our School of Business colleagues who have actively contributed to the event by helping and presenting, listed in alphabetical order: Alfred Wong, Arnela Ceric, Emmett Berry, Fahad Asmi, Jodie Kleinschafer, John Hicks, Mark Frost, Nick Davis, Peter Adjei-Bamfo, Yianni Athanasopoulos, and adjunct Jane Maley.
