. Dr Monique Ryan MP is the Independent Federal Member for Kooyong in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. First elected in May 2022, she became the first woman and the first independent to represent the electorate. Before entering Parliament, she was a paediatric neurologist, medical researcher and Director of Neurology at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, where she … Continue reading Community Forum: Dr Monique Ryan, Independent Federal Member for Kooyong (VIC)
Category: Community Forum
Community Forum: Chris Bowen MP, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy
. Chris Bowen MP is the federal Member for McMahon in Western Sydney and Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy. A member of the Australian Labor Party, he entered the House of Representatives in 2004 after almost a decade in local government, including serving as Mayor of Fairfield. During his parliamentary career, he has … Continue reading Community Forum: Chris Bowen MP, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Community Forum: Senator David Pocock, Independent for ACT
. Senator David Pocock is an independent senator representing the Australian Capital Territory and the first independent senator elected by ACT voters. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, he moved to Australia as a teenager before building an outstanding international rugby career, captaining the Wallabies and serving as vice-captain of the Brumbies. After retiring from professional … Continue reading Community Forum: Senator David Pocock, Independent for ACT
Community Forum: Senator Andrew Bragg, Liberal Party for NSW
. Senator Andrew Bragg is a Liberal Senator for New South Wales and currently serves as Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness and Shadow Minister for the Environment. First elected to the Senate in 2019 and re-elected in 2025, he has been a prominent voice on housing affordability, home ownership, economic reform, superannuation, financial technology, … Continue reading Community Forum: Senator Andrew Bragg, Liberal Party for NSW
Community Forum With Cam Wilson, The ABC’s AI Reporter
. In this Reddit community forum, Cam Wilson, the ABC’s AI Reporter, answers questions from the public about AI. Cam Wilson is an investigative journalist and writer known for his deep-dive reporting on internet culture, digital extremism, and the mechanics of online disinformation. Over his career, he has tracked the evolution of digital communities, unmasked … Continue reading Community Forum With Cam Wilson, The ABC’s AI Reporter
Community Forum With Professor David Heilpern, Dean of Law at Southern Cross University
. David Heilpern is an Australian legal trailblazer, author, and former NSW Magistrate who served on the bench for over two decades before retiring in 2020. Throughout his distinguished judicial career, he presided over thousands of cases in regional and metropolitan courts, earning a reputation for his compassionate approach and commitment to social justice. Before … Continue reading Community Forum With Professor David Heilpern, Dean of Law at Southern Cross University
Community Forum with Senator Steph Hodgins-May
. Senator Steph Hodgins-May is the Australian Greens Senator for Victoria, bringing a deep background in environmental law and human rights advocacy to Federal Parliament. Before her parliamentary tenure, she worked as an adviser to the United Nations and as a director at Greenpeace, fighting for strong climate action and sustainable food systems. Sworn in … Continue reading Community Forum with Senator Steph Hodgins-May
Community Forum: Clare O’Neil MP, Australia’s Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities
. Clare O'Neil is the Federal Member for Hotham and Australia’s Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, and Minister for Cities. Her path into politics started in Melbourne's south-east, where she grew up and later studied law and history at Monash University. While still at university, she entered local government and became the youngest female … Continue reading Community Forum: Clare O’Neil MP, Australia’s Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities
Community Forum: Jane Norman, Clare Armstrong and Tom Crowley (ABC Reporters)
. Jane Norman is the ABC’s national affairs correspondent and an experienced member of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery in Canberra. Throughout her career with ABC News, she has covered federal elections, leadership contests and many of the major political developments shaping Australia. As president of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery, Jane also plays an … Continue reading Community Forum: Jane Norman, Clare Armstrong and Tom Crowley (ABC Reporters)
Community Forum: Jane Caro, Political and Social Commentator
. Jane Caro is an Australian author, journalist, broadcaster, social commentator and public speaker known for her forthright contributions to debates about politics, feminism, education and social justice. After beginning her career in advertising, she became a prominent voice across Australian television, radio, print and digital media. She has written extensively about gender equality, ageing, … Continue reading Community Forum: Jane Caro, Political and Social Commentator
Community Forum: Lucy Carter, Matt Martino, Maryanne Taouk, Michael Workman and Devi Mallal (ABC News Verify Team)
. Lucy Carter leads ABC NEWS Verify, the ABC’s specialist team investigating misinformation, disinformation and questionable claims circulating online. An award-winning investigative journalist with more than 15 years of experience in television and digital journalism, she has worked on stories examining political propaganda, online extremism, social-media platforms and the rapidly evolving influence of artificial intelligence. … Continue reading Community Forum: Lucy Carter, Matt Martino, Maryanne Taouk, Michael Workman and Devi Mallal (ABC News Verify Team)
Community Forum: Tom Tate, Mayor of the Gold Coast
. Tom Tate is the 13th Mayor of the City of Gold Coast and the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history. First elected in 2012, he secured a fourth term in 2024 after more than a decade overseeing one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities. A qualified civil engineer and experienced businessman, Tom worked in construction, property, … Continue reading Community Forum: Tom Tate, Mayor of the Gold Coast
Community Forum: Rod Sims, Chair of the Superpower Institute and Former Chair of the ACCC
. Professor Rod Sims AO is an Australian economist, public-policy expert and former Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. He led the ACCC from 2011 until 2022, becoming the longest-serving chair in the regulator’s history. During his tenure, he became a prominent advocate for stronger competition, consumer protection and greater accountability from powerful … Continue reading Community Forum: Rod Sims, Chair of the Superpower Institute and Former Chair of the ACCC
Community Forum: Simon Kennedy MP, Federal Liberal Member for Cook (NSW)
. Simon Kennedy MP is the Federal Member for Cook, representing communities across Sydney’s Sutherland Shire and southern suburbs. A member of the Liberal Party, he entered the House of Representatives after winning the Cook by-election in April 2024 and was re-elected at the 2025 federal election. Simon currently serves as Shadow Assistant Minister to … Continue reading Community Forum: Simon Kennedy MP, Federal Liberal Member for Cook (NSW)
Community Forum: Claire Clutterham MP, Federal Labor Member for Sturt (SA)
. Claire Clutterham MP is the federal Labor Member for Sturt in South Australia. Elected in 2025, she became the first woman to represent the electorate in federal Parliament. She lives in Sturt with her husband and stepdaughter and brings experience from law, local government and community service to her role. Before entering Parliament, Claire … Continue reading Community Forum: Claire Clutterham MP, Federal Labor Member for Sturt (SA)
Community Forum: CK – Organiser of the Petition Against the Proposed Trump Tower on the Gold Coast
. CK is an Australian resident and one of the organisers behind the petitions opposing the former proposed Trump Tower development on the Gold Coast. She is keeping her real identity private while speaking publicly about the campaign. She started her petition because she was concerned about the development’s potential social, environmental and economic impacts. … Continue reading Community Forum: CK – Organiser of the Petition Against the Proposed Trump Tower on the Gold Coast
Community Forum: Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Prevention of Family Violence
. Joining this Reddit AMA is Ged Kearney MP, the Labor Member for Cooper in Melbourne’s north. She is Assistant Minister for Social Services and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence. Ged entered federal Parliament in 2018 after a career spent advocating for patients and workers. She worked as a nurse for 20 … Continue reading Community Forum: Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Prevention of Family Violence
Community Forum: Senator Charlotte Walker, Labor (SA)
. Joining this Reddit AMA is Senator Charlotte Walker, a Labor senator for South Australia. Elected in 2025 on her 21st birthday, she became the youngest person ever elected to the Australian Senate. Charlotte grew up in Yankalilla on the Fleurieu Peninsula, where she played netball and worked at the local supermarket. That regional upbringing … Continue reading Community Forum: Senator Charlotte Walker, Labor (SA)
Community Forum: Cheryl Kernot, Former Australian Democrats Senator and Labor MP (QLD)
. Joining this Reddit AMA is Cheryl Kernot, a former leader of the Australian Democrats and former Labor Member for Dickson. She represented Queensland in the Senate from 1990 to 1997 and led the Democrats for four of those years. Before entering Parliament, Cheryl was a teacher and became involved in politics partly because she … Continue reading Community Forum: Cheryl Kernot, Former Australian Democrats Senator and Labor MP (QLD)
Community Forum: Michael West, Investigative Journalist
. Joining this Reddit AMA is Michael West, an Australian investigative journalist and founder of Michael West Media. He began his journalism career as a cadet at The Australian Financial Review and later worked at The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald, where he was a journalist and editor. A Walkley Award winner, Michael has … Continue reading Community Forum: Michael West, Investigative Journalist
Community Forum: Antony Green, Former Election Analyst at the ABC
. Joining this Reddit AMA is Antony Green AO, the former Chief Election Analyst at the ABC. For more than three decades, he helped Australians follow election nights as votes came in and seats changed hands. Antony joined the ABC as an election researcher in 1989 and retired from the broadcaster after the 2025 federal … Continue reading Community Forum: Antony Green, Former Election Analyst at the ABC
Community Forum: Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of University of Canberra and Former Labor Leader
. Joining this Reddit AMA is Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Canberra, former federal Labor leader and former Member for Maribyrnong. As at 2 February 2026, he has spent just over a year leading the university, having taken up the role on 20 January 2025. His move into higher education followed … Continue reading Community Forum: Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of University of Canberra and Former Labor Leader
