Lily O'Neill

Dr. Lily O'Neill is a Senior Research Fellow at Melbourne Climate Futures, affiliated with the Melbourne Law School at The University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on Indigenous rights in the context of renewable energy development, climate policy, and regulatory frameworks impacting Indigenous communities. She specializes in analyzing agreements between Indigenous groups and governments/corporations regarding land use, resource extraction, and environmental governance.

Her work emphasizes equitable benefit-sharing arrangements for Traditional Owners in clean energy projects and addresses disparities in policy implementation affecting remote communities. She also explores family violence policy reforms impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, advocating for culturally appropriate legal and support services.

Dr. O'Neill has contributed to policy submissions regarding water reforms, northern Australia development agendas, and emissions certification systems for international hydrogen trade. Her research bridges legal frameworks, environmental policy, and social equity, often intersecting with Indigenous sovereignty and capability-building initiatives.