Why we started the Progressive Action Lab

Justin Ryan

Convenor and Co-Founder

Justin is a Canberra born and raised businessperson and political activist. At thirty, he cashed a Centrelink cheque to use as startup capital for a window cleaning business. 20+ years later, employs 30 people. From 2007 to 2014, Justin was the Director of the Canberra-based Solar installation company Armada Solar.
Justin graduated in Administration from the University of Canberra’s Faculty of Business, Politics and Law. His mother was a Labor staffer in the Hawke & Keating governments and then worked for the ALP National Office. Justin was active in the UC Labor Club and was at times an active ALP party member until 2007. In 2011, he did a project called Replacing the ALP about the limitations of the party as a 21st century political institution. He is the author of the book The High-Performance Political Party, a concept about political organisation in the 21st Century.
Justin has been developing new rock-climbing in the Canberra region for 25 years. He is the co-author and publisher of the forthcoming guidebook - Rock Climbing in A.C.T. and is the father of two teenagers.
Email: [email protected] - Mobile: 0439421290

Emma Crocker

Co-Founder

PAL co-founder Emma Crocker is a graduate of the Australian National University (ANU), she holds bachelor's degrees in International Relations and Public Policy. She is currently pursuing her honours in public policy, focusing on interpretive approaches. Outside politics, Emma is a ceramic artist.

James Robertson

Communications Advisor

James Robertson is a Canberra journalist who has worked for the Sydney Morning Herald as editor of the Samoa Observer and, most recently, as political editor of The New Daily.

Dr Vanessa Picker

Scorecard Outreach Coordinator

Dr Vanessa Picker brings a deep background in both major party politics and independent campaigning, complemented by a PhD in evidence-based policymaking. With a diverse career spanning grassroots activism, the public sector, elite sport, academia, entrepreneurship, social impact consulting, and military service, Vanessa leverages her multifaceted experiences to drive transformative change. She holds a PhD and Master’s in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation from the University of Oxford, a Master of Politics and Public Policy from Macquarie University, and a Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the University of Adelaide. In her work with Progressive Action Lab, Vanessa is committed to strengthening accountability mechanisms, elevating marginalised voices, and ensuring policy decisions and processes are inclusive and evidence-based. Her journey from the Australian Labor Party, and from serving as President of ALP Abroad, to running as an independent candidate in the 2024 ACT election, has given her critical insights into the strengths and limitations of both major party politics and independent campaigning. Having recently graduated from UC's Pathways to Politics for Women, Vanessa is dedicated to dismantling the barriers faced by women candidates and amplifying underrepresented voices in the political sphere.

Melanie Wilde - Chair

Melanie is a leader in the non-profit and community sectors, with experience in advocacy, public policy, governance and strategic innovation.
Currently, as CEO of the Mental Health Community Coalition, Melanie advocates for over 50 mental health services in the ACT. Melanie has previously led initiatives with CARE International and the United Nations Population Fund, advocating for gender-based violence prevention, reproductive rights, and maternal healthcare. She has been a Board Director and Chair at a wide range of community sector and philanthropic organisations, including the Australian Conservation Foundation, Flemington and Kensington Legal Centre, Inner Melbourne Legal Centre, Change the Record, Just Leadership USA, the Justice Map and the Stonewall Policy Foundation Alliance. She currently sits on the Board for Meridian, the ACT's LGBTIQ health service.
At PAL, Melanie is dedicated to expanding political participation and fostering a more inclusive political discourse in Australia. Her passion for advocacy and belief in the power of community-driven change inspire her work, and she is committed to helping everyday Australians have a voice in shaping progressive politics.

Peter W Tait

Peter Tait is the convenor of the Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy. https://canberra-alliance.org.au/
He has been a General Practitioner for 39 years, 30 of them in Aboriginal health in Central Australia. He was the 2007 RACGP GP of the Year and Public Health Association Australian Sidney Sax Medalist in 2017. He achieved a Masters of Climate Change at ANU in 2010. He is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the ANU Medical School, teaching into the Population Health stream.
Peter believes a person’s health is grounded in a healthy society, and a healthy society on a healthy ecosystem. He is active in the Public Health Association Australia PHAA Political Economy of Health Special Interest Group, in the Climate and Health Alliance and other environment and peace groups.

Remo Ostini

Remo grew up on farms in Southern Queensland growing grapes, passionfruit, apples and pears.
After a stint driving taxis in Brisbane, he began an academic career with a behavioural science degree at the Darling Downs Institute for Advanced Education, followed by a graduate diploma at the Australian National University, and a PhD in psychometric methods at the University of Minnesota. He embarked on a health research career at the University of Queensland applying an interest in human nature and quantitative methodology to helping people live healthier lives.
Remo’s interests in human nature and in politics lead him to develop the Common Endeavour project (www.commonendeavour.org). Common Endeavour is the idea of a party of government built on recognising the importance of doing connection well.

Kirk Zwangobani

Kirk was born and educated in Canberra where he now lives and works as an educational leader. A ‘teacher by trade’ Kirk has 20 years’ experience in education and leadership and is a Fellow with the Australian Council for Educational Leaders.
As a researcher Kirk theorises extensively on the formation identity and belonging, working across several fields including postcolonialism, philosophy, cultural studies and education. In his ANU doctorate he undertook a sociological study with intergenerational youth of African heritage in Canberra and developed a thesis on the dynamics of becoming African Australian and the micro/macro politics of race.
In addition to research and educational leadership, Kirk has a strong belief in community engagement. He was a founding member and Chair of the ACT Multicultural Advisory Council advising the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Prior to this he collaborated and consulted on projects and policy development in the education and community sectors. These include student voice, primary prevention education, and countering violent extremism initiatives to address issues around sexuality, gender, and race.
He has a love of capoeira, music, and movement and is a father of five.