Joan Staples
Joan Staples’ career has been in policy and advocacy in the non-government sector, including the environment movement, Indigenous affairs, and international development. As an Honorary Principal Research Fellow at RMIT, her publications have focused on the democratic role of non-government organisations. Her website is https://joanstaples.org/
Joan's recent articles
4 December 2025
The origin of Labor versus Green tensions
Claims that the environment movement almost cost Labor the 1990 election ignore the decisive role played by Democrat votes and preferences. A closer look shows the campaign helped deliver victory – and marked a turning point in Labor’s relationship with environmental politics.
11 November 2025
Graham Richardson's environmental legacy
In the week that Labor is struggling to pass its environmental legislation, the death of Graham Richardson is a reminder that, as Labor environment minister, he oversaw the passage of the biggest suite of environmental legislation put forward by any minister or government before or since.
20 September 2021
The documentary trying to build a democracy movement in Australia
In an entertaining, new documentary, Craig Reucassel is working with the Australian Democracy Network in trying to help build a healthy democracy that is more fair, balanced, accountable and participatory.