Insights + Publications
Publications
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First Nations Governance and the Energy Transition
Drawing on five case studies across energy, mining, and infrastructure, this paper examines the governance failures driving delays, legal challenges, and damaged relationships in projects involving First Nations peoples and finds that the problem is not a lack of policy but a lack of operational infrastructure to make policy work.
May 2026
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Disclosure Integrity & First Nations Governance
This white paper examines the integrity gaps in current sustainability and social disclosures as they relate to First Nations rights, governance, and accountability. It outlines why disclosure without governance alignment risks misrepresentation, regulatory exposure, and long-term value erosion.
Jan 2026
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Economic Participation or Extraction?
This essay interrogates prevailing models of Indigenous economic participation, challenging the conflation of activity with empowerment. It reframes participation through the lenses of agency, capability, ownership, and power, exposing how extractive dynamics persist under the language of inclusion.
December 2025
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First Nations Engagement Guide
This guide sets out a governance-informed approach to First Nations engagement, moving beyond consultation and transactional relationships. It supports organisations to design engagement practices that are culturally legitimate, accountable, and aligned with long-term impact.
Aug 2025
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First Nations Strategic Alignment Framework (FNSAF) - White Paper
This white paper introduces the First Nations Strategic Alignment Framework, an industry-driven benchmark for aligning organisational strategy, governance, and ESG practice with First Nations rights and interests. It sets out the rationale, structure, and application of FNSAF as a tool for long-term accountability.
June 2025
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First Nations Governance Guide
This guide provides a clear articulation of First Nations governance, its disruption through colonial systems, and its relevance to contemporary institutions. It is designed for boards, executives, and policy leaders seeking to understand governance as a foundation for ethical and effective decision-making.
June 2025
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Cultural Authority Explainer
This explainer clarifies the concept of cultural authority and its distinction from representation, identity, or consultation. It supports organisations to recognise where authority sits, why it matters, and how misuse creates material governance and reputational risk.
June 2025
Collaborations
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Taskforce on Inequality and Social-Related Financial Disclosures
As Technical Working Group members for the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-Related Financial Disclosures, we contributed to this Conceptual Foundations Discussion Paper.
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Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy
We led the development of First Nations Minimum Social Safeguards for Australia’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.
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Sector Pathways Review
First Nations Affairs supported the Climate Change Authority’s sector pathways work by identifying and articulating First Nations risks, rights, and governance considerations across transition planning.
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First Nations Peoples Statement on Climate Change
We worked with the National Environmental Science Program to support the development of the First Nations Peoples Statement on Climate Change, submitted to the Australian Government following the National First Peoples Gathering on Climate Change.
Monthly Briefs
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Structurally enabled racism
April 2026
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’Right people’
March 2026
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Decision-making
February 2026
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Free markets
January 2026
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Proxy responsibility
November 2025
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Cultural authority
October 2025
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Feedback loops
September 2025
Media
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Bringing sovereign capability back to First Nations people
Our founders thoughts on sovereign supply chains and sovereign capability, published with the National Indigenous Times and Indigenous Business Review.
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Telco misdeeds sharpen case for Indigenous leadership
Provided context to the Australian Associated Press about corporate governance failures creating costs for Australian businesses.
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First Nations governance lacking amid growing shareholder and consumer ESG pressure
Our founders comments following the 2025 Australian federal election, published with The Fifth Estate.
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As we face a climate crisis, corporate responsibility and collaboration are overdue
Commentary on climate leadership, corporate responsibility and collaboration as a business imperative published with Women’s Agenda.
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How supporting Indigenous economies can help solve climate change
Interview with SBS on empowering Indigenous businesses and communities to play a central role in driving climate solutions.
Submissions
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Submission to the Inquiry into Racism, Hate and Violence Directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
April 2026
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Submission to the Inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes in critical minerals projects across Australia
March 2026
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Submission to Sustainable Investment Product Labelling Policy Design
March 2026
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Submission to the Consultation on the Future Made in Australia Community Benefit Principles Draft Public Guidance
February 2026
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Submission on National Economic Reform Priorities
July 2025