
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 worlds
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 ABC1s current
affairs program Q&A and Joy 94.9s 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 Trades
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 Australias
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 Melbournes Midsumma Festival.
I also play touch football socially and enjoy travelling, walking and
reading.