Terry Russell

Terry Russell works for an international aid organisation. Before returning to Australia in 2015, he lived for 17 years in Indonesia and UN-administered East Timor. His Phd thesis was on nation building in East Timor. He is a triple-vaccinated environmentalist.

Recent articles by Terry Russell

"Pesta Demokrasi": Indonesia’s ‘Dance Partner’ Democracy

"Pesta Demokrasi": Indonesia’s ‘Dance Partner’ Democracy

Since the birth of Indonesian democracy 25 years ago, Indonesians have called their elections ‘pesta demokrasi’, a celebration of democracy. But voters don’t so much choose between parties and policies as between individuals… and those individuals have ever-shifting allegiances: dance partners.

How labelling is concealing common ground on climate, COVID and indigenous issues

How labelling is concealing common ground on climate, COVID and indigenous issues

You’re either a climate realist or you’re a climate sceptic. You’re either pro COVID vaccines or you’re a vaccine sceptic. You either voted ‘no’ in the recent ‘indigenous voice to parliament’ or ‘yes’. On too many issues, the labels that Australians are using are confrontational. Australians are being led to see just two camps and no common ground.