Robynne Quiggin

Robynne Quiggin or Robynne Melva Quiggin AO, is an Australian Indigenous Australian lawyer and social justice advocate. She was awarded an Order of Australia in 2025 for 'distinguished service to tertiary education, particularly through the Indigenous community',^[1] and for her advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders and their community through governance roles, for social policy and the rights of First Nations people.^[2] Quiggin was the first Indigenous trustee of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, in the museum's history.^[3] She is a descendant of the Wiradjuri nation,^[4] located in the central western region of New South Wales.^[5]

Robynne Quiggin
Nationality	Australia
Occupation(s)	Vice Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, UTS
Employer(s)	University of Technology, Sydney
Known for	Law and social justice
Title	Professor

Early life and education

When Quiggin was younger, she 'saw inequality and unfairness in the world', and decided that working in law was one of the most useful careers she could undertake to have an impact on equity for First Nations people.^[6]

In her twenties, she saw Marcia Langton passionately discussing land rights, and the value of education as a way to improve outcomes for First Nations people. She was also inspired by Jenny Munrow, a First Nations woman who conducted 'tireless community work'. In addition, women solicitors like Margaret Donaldson and Terri Janke also inspired her, while 'bringing up babies and planning to set up her own business'.^[7]

Quiggin started her career at the solicitors Terri Janke and Company, which is one of the few Australian Aboriginal-owned and operated legal companies in Australia.^[8]

Career

During 2000 to 2013, Quiggin worked at her self-founded legal and consulting firm, which focussed on cultural and legal issues for ATSIC people. She also has lectured in both ATSIC issues and law, at University of Technology, Sydney. She has expertise in copyright and consumer law, wills, and conveyancing. Quiggin has worked in policy, human rights advocacy, as well as being on boards and the chair for various Indigenous and Sustainability organisations.^[9][10][11]

Quiggin was the chair of the board of the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office, Westpac's Indigenous Advisory Committee, the Human Rights Law Centre, as well as a board member for Bangarra, Supply Nation, The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute.^[9] Quiggin was also a trust member of the Powerhouse Museum, as well as the Australian Museum.^[12] Quiggin was also Deputy Commissioner to teh Acting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Professor Gillian Triggs.^[13]

As at 2025 Quiggin was a member of the First Nations Clean Energy Network Steering Group. She was also a previous member of the Net Zero Economy Agency Advisory Board.^[14] She is the Pro Vice Chancellor of Indigenous Leadership and Engagement at UTS.^[15]

Of her Australia Day awards, Quiggin said 'I think a lot of us just chip away doing what we do and trying to make a change'.^[2]

Publications

Quiggins has published on democracy, Indigenous knowledge, and intellectual property and Indigenous culture.^[16]

• Quiggin R. Indigenous Knowledge and the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education. 2008;37(S1):46-55. doi:10.1375/S1326011100000363^[17]
• Quiggin R, Quiggin, J (2007). Intellectual property and Indigenous Culture. Research in Agriculture and Applied Economics. doi:10.22004/ag.econ.151515^[18]
• Quiggin, R. (2005). Legal issues for indigenous artists - an update. Ngoonjook, (26), 25–34. doi/10.3316/informit.912395998558504^[19]

Awards and honours

• 2025 - Australia Day Order of Australia.^[2]
• 2013 - AFR/Westpac's 100 Women of Influence awards.^[9]

External links

• NLA
• UTS Homepage profile
• Order of Australia awards