First Nations Affairs

🎙️ Episode 1 | Historical Settings and the Limits of Consultation Podcast Series: Reframing Reef Governance: Traditional Owner Leadership in Practice Episode Description: In this opening episode, Bec Blurton sits down with Gugu-Badhun man and Deputy Chair of the Healthy Water Traditional Owner Technical Working Group, Ben Gertz, to examine the historical landscape of Traditional Owner engagement i...

🎙️ Episode 2 | Operationalising Co-Design Across Institutions Podcast Series: Reframing Reef Governance: Traditional Owner Leadership in Practice Episode Description: In this second episode, Bec Blurton continues her conversation with Gugu-Badhun man and Deputy Chair of the Healthy Water Traditional Owner Technical Working Group, Ben Gertz, moving from historical context to the practical realities...

🎙️ Episode 3 | Embedding Authority: Outcomes, Accountability, and the Path Forward Podcast Series: Reframing Reef Governance: Traditional Owner Leadership in Practice Episode Description: In the final episode of the series, Bec Blurton and Gugu-Badhun man Ben Gertz turn to outcomes — what six years of genuine co-design produced, where the process fell short, and what long-term accountability requi...

🎙️ Episode 3 Tools for Change Podcast Series: Accountable to Country: Rethinking Corporate Law Through a First Nations Lens Episode Description: In the final episode of the series, Tyson McEwan turns to the legal tools already available, and those yet to be built, to hold corporations accountable to their reconciliation commitments and responsibilities on Country. From shareholder activism to disc...

🎙️ Episode 2 When Commitments Don’t Deliver   Podcast Series: Accountable to Country: Rethinking Corporate Law Through a First Nations Lens Episode Description: RAPs have become the go-to model for corporate reconciliation, but what happens when commitments don’t deliver? In this episode, we examine the structural weaknesses of Reconciliation Action Plans, focusing on the voluntary nature of their...

🎙️ Episode 1 Walking in Two Worlds   Podcast Series: Accountable to Country: Rethinking Corporate Law Through a First Nations Lens Episode Description: In this episode, Tyson McEwan explores what it means to walk in two worlds and how this lived experience informs a First Nations perspective on corporate law, governance, and accountability. Drawing on his recent article published in the Australian...

🎙️ Episode 2 Title: Two Economies, Two Value Systems Podcast Series: First Nations Economics Episode Description: In Part 2 of the First Nations Economics series, Ben Ainsworth explores what happens when we stop asking First Nations businesses to conform to Western models and start valuing Indigenous economic systems on their own terms. This episode unpacks why “economic participation” doesn’t alw...

🎙️ Episode 3 Title: What Happens When You Put Culture Inside the Economy Podcast Series: First Nations Economics Episode Description: In this third episode, Gija man and First Nations economist Ben Ainsworth explores what shifts when First Nations cultural values aren’t just acknowledged, they’re embedded directly into economic decision-making. Ben breaks down how Western models of productivity an...

🎙️ Episode 4 Title: Rethinking the System: What Real Government Support Looks Like Podcast Series: First Nations Economics Episode Description: In the final episode of the series, Ben Ainsworth outlines what real support for First Nations economic development should look like and why the current approach continues to fall short. From shareholder resolutions to Indigenous data sovereignty, Ben maps...

🎙️ Episode 1 Title: Why Social Programs Alone Won’t Close the Gap Podcast Series: First Nations Economics Episode Description: In this opening episode, Gija man and First Nations economist Ben Ainsworth reframes inequality through an economic lens. For too long, First Nations issues have been treated solely as social challenges but economic exclusion and structural barriers have played a central r...

Indigenous affairs is a billion-dollar sector in Australia—yet it remains one of the few industries without clear governance, financial oversight, or regulatory accountability. Unlike finance, healthcare, or environmental compliance, there are no mandated reporting standards to track outcomes, no independent oversight bodies to ensure funding effectiveness, and no structural mechanisms to enforce...

Wealth isn’t just about money—it’s about power, control, and who makes the decisions. First Nations economic sovereignty isn’t just about being included in the economy—it’s about leading it. In this episode, we unpack why GDP fails to measure real prosperity, how First Nations-led investment strategies are reshaping financial systems, and the critical gaps in so-called “progress,” like the Noongar...

Strong governance is more than a compliance exercise—it’s the foundation for ethical decision-making, risk management, and lasting impact. In this episode, we unpack what separates good governance from bad, why poor decision-making leads to self-imposed barriers, and how strong governance can unlock opportunities. We discuss high-profile governance failures, the importance of informed, inclusive f...

Part one of a three part series. The ESG space is growing, but First Nations economic participation remains an afterthought. In this episode, we explore why First Nations governance and economic leadership must be embedded into ESG strategies, the gaps in existing frameworks, and why industry transformation—not just government policy—is needed.  🎧 What you’ll learn: ✅ Why First Nations governanc...

Part two of three. Many organisations have Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs), Indigenous Procurement Policies (IPP), or sustainability initiatives—yet these frameworks aren’t delivering meaningful First Nations economic participation. In this episode, we break down where existing approaches fall short, why corporate Australia must move beyond performative commitments, and introduce you to the Fir...

Part three of three The future of First Nations economic inclusion doesn’t sit in government policy—it sits with business, investors, and ESG leaders. In this episode, we unpack the opportunities for companies that take the lead, the investment risks of inaction, and why the First Nations Strategic Alignment Framework is positioned to drive industry-wide change. 🎧 What you’ll learn: ✅ How First...