In this episode of 'Law at the End of the World', hosts Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark interview Dr Erin O'Donnell, water law expert and author of 'Legal Rights for Rivers', about her journey from desert ecology to pioneering research on river personhood and Indigenous water justice.

Erin discusses her groundbreaking work on legal rights for rivers, her role on the Birrarung Council, the voice of Melbourne's Yarra River, and her current research exploring how treaty processes could address 'aqua nullius' and increase traditional owner power in water governance. The conversation covers research methodologies that prioritise Indigenous partnership and reciprocity, the temporality of relational governance, and practical approaches to recognising rivers as living entities. The episode concludes with updates on significant environmental law developments including the ICJ climate advisory opinion and recent legislative changes across jurisdictions.

Dr Erin O'Donnell

The bill that will torch Māori-Crown relations

Response to the Government’s limitations on judicial review under the Fisheries Act

Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill 105-3 (2024))

Millewa-Mallee native title win gives traditional owners exclusive rights

Cowichan Tribes v. Canada

International Law and Posthuman Theory

The Māori values that make good sense in science

Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change

Inter-American Court of Human Rights Advisory Opinion

River Test Motion

Unyoke the Sciences From the Hum

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We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess.

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