Federal elections experts

Griffith has a range of experts available for commentary and analysis on the 2016 federal election.

Defence and regional security

Professor Andrew O’Neil – is Professor of Political Science and Head of the School of Government and International Relations at Griffith University. Prior to 2000, he worked with Australia’s Department of Defence. Professor O’Neil’s expertise includes;

• Australian foreign and defence policy,
• International terrorism and counter-terrorism
• Security in the Asia Pacific region

Media contact: Stephen O’Grady, 0408 727 706, [email protected]

Economics

Professor Tony Makin has research expertise including;

• International macroeconomics and finance
• Monetary and fiscal policy
• Interest rates, government spending, GST, carbon tax

Professor Fabrizio Carmignani has expertise in areas including

• Economic growth and macroeconomics
• The macroeconomics of natural resources
• Unemployment

Media contact: Stephen O’Grady, 0408 727 706, [email protected]

Foreign policy

• Dr Tom Conley – Trade policy, Free trade agreements, Foreign policy
• Associate Professor Sara Davies – Asylum seeker policy, foreign aid policy, Australia’s positioning in relation to the global refugee crisis

Media contact: Stephen O’Grady, 0408 727 706, [email protected]

Environment

Professor Brendan Mackey

• The interactions between climate change, biodiversity and land use
• The role of science in policy formulation of environmental regulatory frameworks
• The nexus between climate change responses and sustainable development

Media contact: Melinda Rogers, 0478 494 898 [email protected]

Governance and Public Policy

Professor Anne Tiernan – is from the School of Government and International Relations at Griffith University. A political scientist, Professor Tiernan’s research focuses on the work of governing. Her scholarly interests include:

• Australian politics and governance,
• federalism and intergovernmental coordination

Professor Pat Weller AO – Federal politics, political history, political credibility.

Media contact: Stephen O’Grady, 0408 727 706, [email protected]

Health

• Professor Harry McConnell (Menzies Health Institute Queensland) can speak on funding needs for mental health and disability.
• Professor Lesley Chenoweth AO (Menzies Health Institute Queensland) can talk on National Disability Insurance Scheme; and widening participation in higher education.
• Professor Wendy Moyle (Menzies Health Institute Queensland) can comment on health and ageing, care and security for older people.

Media contact: Louise Durack, 0419 649 516, [email protected]

Housing

Professor Paul Burton – is Director of the Griffith University’s Urban Research Program. His expertise includes;

• Housing affordability
• Urban agriculture and food security,
• and patterns of urban development and planning.

Media contact: Melinda Rogers, 0478 494 898 [email protected]

Political and campaign commentary

Dr Paul Williams is a Senior Lecturer, Griffith School of Humanities. His expertise includes:

• Australian national politics
• Election campaigns and the media
• Political leadership

Media contact: Deborah Marshall, 0413 156 601, [email protected]

Dr Duncan McDonnell is lecturer at the School of Government and International Relations. His expertise includes:

• Clive Palmer and the Palmer United Party
• Nick Xenophon and the Xenophon Party
• Political leadership and charisma

Media contact: Stephen O’Grady, 0408 727 706, [email protected]

Professor Stephen Stockwell would also be very well placed to provide expert opinion – particularly on campaign strategy. His expertise includes:

• Political Campaigns
• Democratic Theory

Media contact: Deborah Marshall, 0413 156 601, [email protected]

Productivity; Employment; Union influence

• Professor David Peetz – Workplace reform laws, moves to restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission, Trade Union Royal Commission, Employment issues
• Professor Bradley Bowden – Modern Labor Party (Qld), Modern National Party (NSW), Where parties get their votes, Influence of unions
• Associate Professor Kate Shacklock – Australia’s ageing workforce, Intergenerational tension

Media contact: Stephen O’Grady, 0408 727 706, [email protected]

Superannuation, negative gearing, taxation

• Associate Professor Mark Brimble – Government policy around investment taxation, changes to superannuation, RBA cash rate
• Associate Professor Robert Bianchi is the Deputy Director, Griffith Centre for Personal Finance and Superannuation
• Dr Anna Mortimore – Fiscal policy, taxation, environmental taxation law

Media contact: Stephen O’Grady, 0408 727 706, [email protected]

Tourism

• Professor Susanne Becken – Environmental policies in relation to tourism, including the state of the Great Barrier Reef; Carbon policies; Trade agreements and policies related to Asia
• Professor Noel Scott – Developing northern Australia, developing links with Indonesia; Chinese market

Media contact: Stephen O’Grady, 0408 727 706, [email protected]

Transport

Associate Professor Matthew Burke is with Griffith’s Urban Rsearch Program. His areas of expertise include:

• Travel behaviour studies, land use planning, and urban studies
• Transport policy

Media contact: Melinda Rogers, 0478 494 898 [email protected]