What is Parliamentary Friends Group?
Parliamentary (Non-Country) Friendship Group (‘Parliamentary Friendship Group’) is a non-partisan forum within Parliament for members from various parties to discuss and advocate for a domestic cause or interest. Parliamentary Friendship Groups provide a platform for parliamentarians to engage with specific stakeholders and to raise awareness of the stated cause or issue.
If successful, Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG) could be a powerful catalyst for systemic advocacy to create momentum of political will to create change.
Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS
ME/CFS Alliance Australia (Alliance) *1 has now collaborated for the second time to plan and deliver an impactful meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS.
Establishing the Parliamentary Friends Group was a significant undertaking in itself, requiring a minimum of 20 Parliamentarians to formally join. Securing that level of commitment reflected both the urgency of the issue and the strength of the collective advocacy behind it.
Once the group was officially formed, the next challenge was identifying a meeting date and time that would maximise visibility and influence for national ME/CFS advocacy efforts. This required careful coordination within a very busy parliamentary calendar.
The Alliance was fortunate to benefit from Anne Wilson‘s expertise and steady leadership in navigating this process. Her work ensured that the meeting was scheduled at a time and venue that offered the greatest possible impact.
When was it?
- Date: Tue, 10 March 2026
- Time: From 11:00 am Canberra time.
- Place: Australian Parliament House and Zoom
Outcome
With unanimously agreed theme “Fluctuating Energy, Fixed Systems”, the Alliance has set a focused agenda for national systemic advocacy.
The priorities span three interconnected areas:
Research – Increased investment in biomedical ME/CFS research.
Support – Equitable access to social and disability supports, including NDIS, DSP, and related systems.
Healthcare – Investment in appropriate healthcare for people with ME/CFS, including education for health professionals and equitable access to care for homebound and severely affected patients.
It is essential that Parliamentarians who attended the 2026 Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS meeting follow through on the clear messages delivered by the ME/CFS community, as well as by the researchers and health professionals who stand alongside them. Without political will, even a successful event cannot translate into meaningful change.
Emerge Australia has published a detailed wrap up report for those who would like to explore the outcomes further.
The recorded meeting also captures the constant Division (voting) Bell ringing at the background – a reminder of the realities of parliamentary life. Senator Steph Hodgins-May, Senator for Victoria, kindly acknowledged this disruption, saying:
Thank you for hosting such an informative and well organised event. I’m only sorry that the bells ringing prevented me from staying longer.”
ME Group Australia’s advisors and collaborators were also invited to the 2026 meeting. They had the opportunity to meet with Parliamentarians and community members at Parliament House, and we trust they were able to engage in meaningful conversations with policymakers, fellow researchers, health professionals, and people with ME.
Attendance by Parliamentarians
Emerge Australia has provided a helpful summary of the Parliamentarians who attended the 2026 Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS meeting, as well as those who took the time to send their apologies.
ME Group Australia expresses our sincere appreciation to all Parliamentarians who engaged with this event. Their time, attention, and willingness to understand the lived experiences of people with ME/CFS, and the urgent need for systemic reform, are deeply valued.
In Attendance:
| Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Senator for Victoria | Ms Carol Berry MP, Member for Whitlam |
| The Hon. Scott Buchholz MP, Member for Wright | Office of The Hon Mark Butler MP, Member for Hindmarsh |
| Ms Julie-Ann Campbell MP, Member for Moreton | Ms Libby Coker MP, Member for Corangamite |
| Ms Emma Comer MP, Member for Petrie | Office of The Hon Milton Dick MP, Member for Oxley |
| Ms Ali France MP, Member for Dickson | Dr Mike Freelander MP, Member for Macarthur, co-chair |
| Dr Carina Garland MP, Member for Chisholm | Mr Matt Gregg MP, Member for Deakin |
| Mr Rowan Holzberger MP, Member for Forde | Senator Steph Hodgins-May, Senator for Victoria |
| The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Member for Fenner | Ms Alice Jordan-Baird MP, Member for Gorton |
| Office of The Hon Clare O’Neill MP, Member for Hotham | Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP, Member for Boothby |
| Ms Alison Penfold MP, Member for Lyne | Mr Tony Paskin MP, Member for Barker |
| Mr Dan Repacholi MP, Member for Hunter | Senator Helen Polley, Senator for Tasmania |
| Mr David Smith MP, Member for Bean | Dr Monique Ryan MP, Member for Kooyong |
| Ms Meryl Swanson MP, Member for Paterson | Ms Sally Saitou MP, Member for Reid |
| Ms Jess Tessdale MP, Member for Bass | Ms Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie |
| Senator Tammy Tyrrell, Senator for Tasmania | The Hon Kate Thwaites MP, Member for Jagajaga |
| Mr Aaron Violi MP, Member for Casey | Ms Anne Urquhart MP, Member for Braddon |
| Ms Sarah Witty MP, Member for Melbourne | The Hon Rebecca White MP, Member for Lyons |
Apologies:
| Ms Claire Clutterham MP, Member for Sturt | Senator Richard Dowling, Senator for Tasmania |
| Dr Helen Haines MP, Member for Indi | Mr Jerome Laxale MP, Member for Bennelong |
| Senator The Hon Sarah Henderson, Senator for Victoria | Senator David Pocock, Senator for Australian Capital Territory |
| Senator Andrew McLachlan CSC, Senator for South Australia | Senator Marielle Smith, Senator for South Australia |
| Dr Sophie Scamps MP, Member for Mackellar | Senator Charlotte Walker, Senator for South Australia |
| Senator Jordon Steele-John, Senator for Western Australia, co-chair | Senator Tyron Whitten, Senator for Western Australia |
| Senator Jana Stewart, Senator for Victoria | |
| Senator Larissa Waters, Senator for Queensland |
*1 ME/CFS Alliance Australia
The ME/CFS Alliance Australia (the Alliance) is a national coalition of not‑for‑profit organisations and patient network representing people living with ME/CFS, a term that covers multiple case definitions including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. The Alliance brings organisations together to strengthen a collective voice and progress national advocacy.
Member organisations:
- Emerge Australia Inc
- Bridges and Pathways Institute Inc
- ME/CFS Australia Ltd
- ME Advocacy Network Australia
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Group Australia Ltd (This is us 😎)
We envisage to bring needs and lived experiences of those who affected by severe and very severe ME to the Alliance discussion table.