Legal smarts to grow nature legacy for future generations
He’s been at the frontline of protecting Australia’s natural environment in rainforests and on reefs – and CQUniversity student Craig Dean is set to take his advocacy into the legal world.
Craig has worked for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) for more than two decades. In his current role as Principal Advisor, he supports the management of 8.5 million hectares of protected areas and state forests across Queensland.
In fact, it was his work supporting Indigenous Land Use Agreements for protected areas that inspired him to take on his CQU’s Bachelor of Laws.
“Seeing legal practitioners negotiate benefits for native title holders made me realise the positive social outcomes that lawyers can achieve, I could see that it was a very practical discipline,” he explained.
He began the degree part-time in 2021, after searching for a flexible online study option.
“My work involves a lot of travel, and I knew I would struggle to attend classes on a campus – I felt reassured by CQU’s track record as one of the pioneers of online teaching, and I saw YouTube videos of their law lecturers, and how positive, engaging and encouraging they were,” he explained.
“I remember doing a conservation burn with the rangers at Kinrara National Park in remote north Queensland, and that night I was able to log on to my Torts lecture from the Undara Ranger Base!” he said.
CQU College of Law Learning and Teaching Coordinator, Dr Alexandra McEwan said many students like Craig value the flexibility offered by CQU’s entirely online law degree.
“Our college really understands its student cohort, and the diversity of personal journeys and motivations that may lead to studying law,” she said.
Dr McEwan said annual Australian Government Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) rankings for student satisfaction and graduate outcomes often saw CQUniversity’s law degree out-perform most on-campus providers.
While Craig doesn’t plan to practice law, he is passionate about shifting Australian policy to better protect habitats and wildlife.
“The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) attempts to manage environmental outcomes by listing species and communities and preparing a plan for recovery… but there is no requirement to report on outcomes of the recovery plans, there are no targets towards achieving zero extinctions,” he said.
“Reforms are necessary to deliver practical outcomes for the environment, and that has to happen at a policy level.”
Craig has relished the opportunity to focus on environmental law, earning top marks in the unit while exploring how Australian courts have applied principles of ecologically sustainable development.
“Living in Far North Queensland certainly drives my passion for environmental law…I am surrounded by World Heritage listed national parks and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and these are daily reminders to me of the capacity of non-government environmental organisations to drive change leading to protection of special areas,” he explained.
He has also embraced CQUniversity’s commitment to social innovation, working with communities to improve socioeconomic health and wellbeing, education and environmental ecosystems.
“In my second year at CQU I completed my Legal Practicum in Vietnam, and during my study tour I met with staff from Education for Nature Vietnam, the Wildlife Conservation Society - Vietnam, and the University of Law, Vietnam National University,” he said.
“Lawyers in these institutions are making real change to address the factors that drive the illegal wildlife trade…it was a transformative experience that helped me find my path in the law.”
While social innovation inspires his career, it’s Far North Queensland’s natural wonders that continue to motivate the mission.
“I feel grateful every time I take a drink of water and breathe the crisp morning air (and) combined with the Rainforest Aboriginal Culture, there is simply no other place like it on earth,” he said.
“It inspires me to ensure protected areas remain a legacy for future generations.”
Study CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Laws three years full-time or four years part-time - learn more about studying Laws at CQU.
