Hear from the Federal Minister for Youth and Early Childhood Education, The Hon.Dr Anne Aly MP about the impact the global pandemic has had on our youth, the way it has challenged resilience and mental health, and the unique challenges ahead to ensure that those in vulnerable and disadvantaged situations are not left behind.

About Dr. Anne Aly

The Hon.Dr Anne Aly MP has been the Federal Member for Cowan since 2016.

By her late twenties, Anne was a single mother of two young boys earning the minimum wage to put food on the table. She went on to study her Masters and PhD and worked as a professor, academic and practitioner in counter terrorism and countering violent extremism. The founder of People against Violent Extremism, Anne was the only Australian representative to speak at President Obama's 2015 White House summit on countering violent extremism.

Anne is a 2011 inductee into the Western Australian Women's Hall of Fame, a 2016 nominee for Australian of the Year and a 2016 recipient of the prestigious Australian Security Medal. In 2021, she was awarded the McKinnon Prize for Emerging Political Leader of the Year, in recognition of her Parliamentary work against both right-wing extremism and family & domestic violence.

About Senator Fatima Payman

Fatima Payman, Senator for Western Australia, is an Australian Muslim with cultural roots from Afghanistan.
Her father arrived in Australia as a refugee and worked round the clock as a kitchen hand, a security guard and a taxi driver, to provide for her, her mum and her siblings – instilling in Fatima the values of hard work and perseverance. She has seen his experience echoed in the lives of many of the workers she met in her time as an organiser at United Workers Union.

Senator Fatima Payman is passionate about representing hardworking Australians striving to make ends meet and giving life their best shot, as well as breaking down barriers for women and young people, and encouraging them to voice their opinions.

About Rachel Puppazoni

Rachel Pupazzoni is a senior business reporter and presenter with ABC News’ national business reporting team. Rachel presents the weekly TV program, Close of Business and reports for The Business. She is also a fill in presenter for that program. Rachel’s reports also appear on national 7pm news bulletins and ABC News online. Rachel started her career with ABC News in 2006 and has worked as a reporter and presenter in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and regional WA.