Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, I live an active and passionate life through my involvement in politics and society.

I'm currently the Director of the IP (intellectual property) and Free Trade Unit at the Institute of Public Affairs – the world’s oldest free market think tank. My area of policy expertise includes trade, IP, globalisation, innovation and investment. In particular I've completed research on the role of IP as an incentive to stimulate innovation for low-carbon technology and pharmaceuticals.

I'm regularly published in Australian and international newspapers and journals, including the Wall Street Journal, The Australian and the Australian Financial Review. I'm also a frequent commentator on television and radio, including as a panellist on ABC1’s current affairs program Q&A and Joy 94.9’s media and current affairs show The Spin.

In 2009 I was honoured to be recognised by Australia's national daily broadsheet, The Australian, as one of the ten emerging leaders of Australian society.

I'm also a member of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s IP Industry Consultative Group, and Associate for IP and Development at the Australian APEC Study Centre. I also work as a Senior Consultant for strategic communication firm, SDA Strategic.

I previously worked as a consultant on international trade, IP and environment policy for
Melbourne-based consultancy, ITS Global; and was a Project Manager with the Australian APEC Study Centre delivering international development programs; and was responsible for delivering the
Australian Government's program to build the logistical and policy capacity of the Vietnamese
Government to host APEC in 2006.I also previously worked for the Victorian Leader of the Opposition and a State and Federal Member of Parliament.

I was twice-elected President and Chairman of the Monash University Student Union and was
separately elected to the Council of Monash University – Australia’s largest University.

I love learning and have completed a Masters of Diplomacy and Trade majoring in International Trade from the Monash Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Public Policy and Politics from Monash University. I've also completed a Diploma of Business with a regsitered training organisation, the IP Summer School at the World Intellectual Property Organization Academy, the Global Health Diplomacy Executive Program and the WTO, International Trade and Development Program at the Institut de Hautes Études Internationales et du Développment, Geneva; and am a trained carbon accountant having completed a carbon accounting course at Swinburne TAFE.

I'm also a member of a large number of civil society organisations, including the Australian-American Association, Australian Institute of International Affairs, Australian Republican Movement, Joy 94.9 radio, Melbourne Football Club, Melbourne Cricket Club and the National Gallery of Victoria. I'm also a patron of Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival.

I also play touch football socially and enjoy travelling, walking and reading.