About our panelists

Zali Steggall OAM, MP is the Independent Federal Member for the seat of Warringah in Sydney’s North. A professional sportsperson, representing Australia at four Winter Olympic Games, her first at just 17 and winning Australia’s first ever individual medal at the Winter Olympics in 1998,followed by Australia’s first and only World Championship alpine skiing gold medal Vail in 1999, she went on to practice as abarrister in areas of commercial, family and sports law for more than a decade. With extensive business and leadership experience at board level, determined to help shift Australian politics to being more community representative and tackle big issues like climate risks, Zali successfully contested the Federal Parliamentary Seat of Warringah winning as an Independent Candidate in 2019. 

The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP was first elected as the Federal Member for Cowan in 2016. She holds a Masters and PhD from Edith Cowan University and has held a number of senior positions within the Western Australian public service. She has worked at both Curtin University and Edith Cowan University with a focus on counter terrorism and countering violent extremism. Dr Aly was appointed Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth in the Albanese Government in June 2022, and was recently also sworn in as Minister Assisting the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Geraldine Doogue AO is a renowned Australian journalist and broadcaster, much respected for her work reporting on religious and social affairs and on Australia’s place in the world. Geraldine has carved out an enviable reputation across print, television and radio, starting on “The West Australian” in Perth, before moving to The Australian, ABC’s Nationwide, 2UE, Channel 10 news, hosting ABC TV’s Compass program and continuing in various roles on ABC RN and via podcasting. In 2000, she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship for social and cultural reporting. In 2003 she was honoured with the title of Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the community and media related to ethics, values, religion and social change. In 2018, she was delighted to be admitted to the Australian Media Hall of Fame and has been awarded several honorary doctorates by Australian universities.