Settler Families Giving Back

Supporting Indigenous capacity building and self determination

Gas and climate

The fossil gas industry is the focus for much of my writing in recent years. I show how gas is entrenched in our economy and institutions, and point to opportunities to challenge this.

Postural awareness and Alexander Technique

I have helped people learn and apply Alexander Technique in daily life since 2012. Try a lesson? Check first my many short articles.

Political economy and commentary

Many friends hesitate before supporting the release of Julian Assange, so I wrote this brief background note encouraging them to rethink. Conservative governments are keen on regulation of environmental NGOs to restrict their activities. Recent submissions relate to climate emergency plans, biodiversity legislation, energy markets and cost-benefit guidelines for mining,

Economic studies

Co-authored studies on biochar and public debt are still relevant today.

Case study methods underpinned my PhD and are an important tool for in-depth investigation into complex organisations. Find also papers about firm behaviour, ecological economics and farm business economics as they relate to natural resource management.

I plan to add papers on the persistence of family farming and Australia’s machine tool industry.

Environmental policy, mechanisms and incentives

Finding the right policy and mechanisms for protecting and enhancing biodiversity is so important, especially on and near farmland. I have written extensively about targeting farm businesses. Particular topics include duty of care and the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.

This writing is directly linked to my PhD studies in natural resources policy and my career in Victoria’s environmental department (starting 1988 in CFL, then DSE until 2012). I was also connected with conservation management networks and a national project evaluating biodiversity conservation mechanisms.