Based in the firm’s Brisbane office, Besley practices in the areas of native title, cultural heritage, land dealings, and mining and resource development. His experience ranges from acting for indigenous parties to representing the state of Queensland in native title negotiations. Recently he was involved with the introduction to parliament of the Aboriginal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008.

Prior to joining MacDonnells Law, Besley was leading a pilot project on behalf of the Queensland Government at Palm Island to resolve land tenure issues and improve land management practices in Queensland’s discrete indigenous communities.