From 2006 until 2018, Michael was appointed South Australia’s (and Australia’s) first Commissioner for Victims’ Rights. Prior, Michael was SA’s first Victims of Crime Co-ordinator and, before that, while serving as a police officer, he became the State’s first Victim Impact Statement Co-ordinator.  He is a Life Member, a past Secretary-General and current Depart Chair UN Liaison of the World Society of Victimology; a Vice President of the NGO Alliance on Crime Prevention & Criminal Justice; a Member of the International Network of Services for Victims of Terrorism; Board Member and Executive Officer of Victim Support Asia; and, the Victim Advocate (Prisoners’ children) for Second Chances SA;. For over a decade, Michael was a White Ribbon Ambassador; and is the Patron, Love Hope and Gratitude Foundation.

Since 2020, Michael has worked part-time as an Independent Decision Maker for Australia’s National Redress Scheme for adult survivors of child sexual abuse in institutions.  He is also a volunteer expert on crime victims’; rights for the United Nations. He is assisting with the revision of the UN Handbook on Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power as well as drafting both guidelines on assisting victims of terrorism in Asia-Pacific and model legislation covering victims of terrorism in general.

Michael strives to ensure victims are heard, their rights fulfilled and needs met. He lectures and writes in the field of victimology and holds degrees in social science and public policy and administration, plus diplomas in victimology and criminology. In 1995 he was awarded the Australia Police Medal for his work to advance responses to the needs of victims of crime. In 2017 he became a Member of the Order of Australia.

In 2004 and 2018 he was a nominee-finalist for South Australia’s Australian of the Year.