Deakin experts available for commentary during federal election period

Political analysis
Dr Geoffrey Robinson, Senior Lecturer in Politics
Projected outcomes in federal electorates, particularly Victorian electorates, and evaluations of political campaigns.
Professor Andrew Scott, Professor of Politics and Policy
Early childhood education and childcare, paid parental leave, gender equality, public housing, housing affordability, schools funding, higher education, skills training, unemployment, job creation, workforce participation rates, electric cars, wages, welfare, inequality, and fairness.
Dr Amy Nethery, Senior Lecture in Politics
Social policies, particularly refugee and asylum seeker policy. The rise of independents and what this might mean for our parliament.
Dr Josh Roose, Senior Research Fellow at the Alfred Deakin Institute
Climate change activism, gender and politics, women and politics, fringe parties, voter perception of politicians, how politicians are seeking to engage with electorates, young people and voting, populism, what’s shaping the future of democracy and voter distrust of political parties.

Economy and employment
Dr Prasad Bhattacharya, Senior Lecturer in Economics
Australian macroeconomic issues, including inflation, unemployment, and budgetary implications for policies undertaken.
Associate Professor Mark Bowler-Smith, Associate Professor of Law
Tax policy, including the broadening of the personal income tax rate bands, tax relief for small businesses after lockdown, and the role of GST and tax fairness.
Associate Professor Jo Ingold, Associate Professor in Human Resource Management
Employment issues and policy, unemployment, welfare to work, employment and skills programs, workplace inclusion, and disadvantaged/under-served labour market groups.

Environment and energy
Professor Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Environmental policy and biodiversity conservation.
Professor Samantha Hepburn, Professor of Property Law
Mining, energy and environmental law and policy.

Health and COVID-19
Alfred Deakin Professor Catherine Bennett, Chair in Epidemiology
COVID-19 issues, particularly infection risks throughout the campaign and on election day.
Professor Anna Peeters, Director of the Institute for Health Transformation
Health system reform and equity (including aged care), and healthcare workforce sustainability.
Alfred Deakin Professor Alison Hutchinson, Director of the Centre for Quality and Patient Safety
Nursing and aged care.
Associate Professor Neera Bhatia, Associate Professor of Health Law
Assisted dying, organ donation and IVF policy.

Migration, international development, and foreign policy
Professor Damien Kingsbury, Emeritus Professor of International Development
Foreign policy.
Dr Karen Dunwoodie, Research Fellow in the Centre for Refugee Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education
Migration, refugees and asylum seekers. A particular focus on the need for better resettlement policies centred on employment.
Alfred Deakin Professor Matthew Clarke, Professor of Humanitarian and Development Studies
Foreign aid and international development, with a specific focus on the Pacific, and Australia’s response to China’s growing influence in the region.

Education
Professor Jillian Blackmore, Alfred Deakin Professor in the School of Education
Education policy, including schools, higher education, and TAFE.

Infrastructure
Mr Peter Van Duijn, industry researcher in supply chain and logistics
Strategic shipping and supply chain issues post-COVID.
Dr Trevor Thornton, Senior Lecturer in Hazardous Materials
Issues and solutions for waste management.

Law and order
Professor Marilyn McMahon, Deputy Head of Deakin Law School
Crime and criminal justice.
Dr Bruce Chen, Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Human rights issues including campaigns to enact a federal bill of rights, the ongoing impact of COVID-19 restrictions on human rights, and calls for a review or royal commission into Australia’s COVID-19 response.