Watch

In December 2022, the Federal government released its response to Professor Graeme Samuel’s independent review of Australia’s national environmental laws. Written in 2020, the Samuel Review provides recommendations to modernise the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) to avert a biodiversity crisis.  

There is general agreement that the government’s response is a good starting point but the promised overhaul is missing detail which could compromise new laws and our species most at risk.  

We have a once in a generation opportunity to rewrite Australia’s most important and influential environmental laws. How can we ensure new environmental laws are robust and effective in protecting and managing our environment? And what role can you play as both a philanthropist and advocate? 

Join AEGN CEO Amanda Martin, in conversation with Kelly O’Shanassy, CEO Australian Conservation Foundation and Jan McDonald Environmental Law Professor, University of Tasmania. 

Speakers

Amanda Martin

Chief Executive Officer, Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network

Amanda has worked in philanthropy for over 20 years, having worked as Executive Officer for the Poola Foundation for four years before helping to establish the AEGN in 2008.After years of participating in and helping with social and environmental change, Amanda believes that a key ingredient to making the world a better place is smart and strategic community groups working with smart and strategic philanthropy.She has a background in biodiversity and protected area advocacy and management, working in both the public and community sector. Previously, Amanda was the Executive Officer of the Victoria National Parks Association, and the Head of Policy and Planning at Parks Victoria. She is also a trained and skilled facilitator of groups and regularly uses this in her current role. 

Kelly O’Shanassy

Chief Executive Officer, Australian Conservation Foundation

Kelly O’Shanassy is the CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation and a sustainability leader, experienced in executive roles in business, government and the community sector. In her career, Kelly has led the charge to boost clean energy, make homes more energy and water efficient and recycling cheaper and easier. She’s helped protect and restore Australia’s rivers and forests.  

She has a track record of building people power to advocate for a better future. She is also respected for her work in helping business leaders advocate for a modern and sustainable economy, culminating in Kelly being recognised amongst the top 100 business women in Australia in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards.  

When not advocating for nature, you can find her kayaking along Australia’s rivers. 

Jan McDonald

Environmental Law Professor, University of Tasmania

Professor Jan McDonald is the New Star Professor of Environmental and Climate Law at the University of Tasmania. She taught Queensland’s first undergraduate environmental law subject in 1990, when she joined the Law Faculty at Bond University in 1990, and has been passionate about teaching and motivating the next generation of environmental and climate lawyers ever since. Jan is a Lead Councillor with the newly-formed Biodiversity Council and serves on the board on the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. She has served previous terms as past President of the National Environmental Law Association, a founding Board Member of the EDO-Australia, and a member of the Australian Panel of Experts on Environmental Law. 

About the Thought Leadership Forum

Held on the first Wednesday of each month, our Thought Leadership Forum bring you experts from the field to discuss critical environmental issues of the decade and how funding can make the most impact. Take this opportunity to reconnect with funders from across the country who share your passion for leaving a healthy planet for future generations.