Day 1 - The Great Debate
Monday 26 October 2026
12:30pm - 1:30pm | Lecture Theatre | Hybrid Event
"The pursuit of breakthrough health innovations should take precedence over ethical, privacy and environmental concerns."
The debate has been designed to stimulate discussion on how healthcare systems balance the need for innovation with responsibilities to patients, communities and the environment. Audience polling before and after the debate will provide insight into changing perspectives throughout the session.
This session directly aligns with current healthcare challenges, including:
- Artificial intelligence in healthcare
- Responsible use of patient data
- Research ethics and governance
- Environmental sustainability
- Future health system resilience
Welcome
Adj Prof Adam Horsburgh Chief Executive, Bayside Health
Adjudicator/Host: Chloe Shorten, Bayside Health Board Director
Featured Speakers
Affirmative Team
Advocating that breakthrough healthcare innovation should be prioritised to improve patient outcomes and strengthen health system resilience.
- Shane Nanayakkara, Interventional Cardiologist and AI researcher
- Meng Law, expert in advanced neuroimaging, AI and precision diagnostics
- Victoria Mar
OpposingTeam
Advocating that innovation must remain grounded in ethics, privacy, public trust and environmental sustainability.
- Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins, researcher in climate adaptation and sustainable healthcare innovation
- David Ruschena, Legal Counsel, Bayside Health
- Sudeep Saraf, Chief Digital Health Officer, Bayside Health
Judging Panel
- Angela Henjak
- Chloe Shorten
- Katrina Lewis