Parliamentary Friendship Groups for the 45th Parliament Register
Parliamentary Friendship Groups (non-country) are groups formally recognised by the Presiding Officers. That recognition lasts for the term of the Parliament. View the list of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups for the previous (44th) Parliament.
Presiding Officers' guidelines are available here. Please note: These guidelines apply to non-country friendship groups only. A separate process applies for the Parliament's friendship groups with other countries; please contact the International and Parliamentary Relations Office for more information.
An example application to form a non-country Parliamentary Friendship Group is available here.
Should you have queries about Parliamentary Friendship Groups please contact the International and Parliamentary Relations Office, telephone 02 6277 4340 or email [email protected].
Please note: queries regarding membership lists for current or former friendship groups should be directed to the contact person(s) for that group.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY GROUP
The goal of the AIPG is to promote the cause of human rights as enshrined within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights conventions and standards. The AIPG is a forum to gain access to research, briefings and information related to the work of Amnesty International globally and international human rights issues broadly. The AIPG members commit to promoting the cause of human rights in their electorates, through the Australian Parliament and with their counterparts in governments around the world.
Contact Persons:
Mr Andrew Giles MP
Senator Janet Rice
Mr Andrew Wilkie MP
Mr Trent Zimmerman MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF THE ABC
The group's aim is to provide a forum for raising awareness and suport for the vital services the ABC provides to the Australian community. It will also facilitate intitiatives and events to promote and enhance the ABC.
Contact Persons:
Senator Richard De Natale
Dr Mike Freelander MP
The Hon Craig Laundy MP
Mr Andrew Wilkie MP
(Co-convenors)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION
This group will provide a forum for Members and Senators to meet and interact with stakeholder groups concerned with physical accessibility, employment accessibility as well as social inclusion.
Contact Persons:
Ms Emma Husar MP, Chair
Mr Craig Laundy MP, Deputy Chair
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUP ON ASBESTOS RELATED DISEASE (PGARD)
The Parliamentary Group on Asbestos Related Disease (PGARD) will enable Parliamentarians to come together to raise awareness of, and to stop the burden of asbestos related disease
Contact Persons:
Senator the Hon Lisa Singh
Mr Russell Broadben MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
This group will provide a forum for MPs to meet and interact with researchers and thought leaders from the Australian Catholic University on matters relating to the mission and work program of the university.
Contact Persons:
Mr Trent Zimmerman MP
The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP
(Co-convenors)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL
Aims to raise awareness with Members of Parliament and the wider community of the benefits of Australian Rules Football and AFL economically and socially through the AFL clubs, the State bodies and their community programs. This group will be able to engage first hand with the AFL and its clubs through forum events and a consultative program enhancing access to materials, brochures, and information relating to AFL funded community programs.
Contact Persons:
Mr Steve Irons MP
The Hon Richard Marles MP
(Co-convenors)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF BASKETBALL
This group will provide a forum for Senators and Members to meet and interact with basketball stakeholder groups on matters relating to the sport across Australia.
Contact Persons:
Ms Emma Husar MP, Chair
Mr Adam Bandt MP, Deputy Chair
THE BRAIN CANCER AND TUMOUR AWARENESS GROUP (BC&TAG)
To educate and empower the broader community with regard to brain tumours by:
- increasing awareness and understanding of the health issues and impact of brain tumours to politicians and community leaders;
- identifying and liaising with the medical profession, researchers and experts working in this field; and
- providing a forum for discussion and dissemination of information on associated topics of interest.
Contact Persons:
Senator Catryna Bilyk
Senator Nick Xenophon
Senator Dean Smith
(Co-convenors)
PARLIAMENTARIANS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT (PACAN)
PACAN aims to:
- Raise awareness of the incidence of child abuse and neglet to all Federal Parliamentarians.
- Provide a forum to further understand the mitigating causes and to hold discussions with relevant stakeholders in an endeavour to address the social and economic costs of child abuse.
Contact Persons:
Senator Catryna Bilyk
The Hon Ken Wyatt MP
(Co-convenors)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF THE CLOSE THE GAP CAMPAIGN
The group will raise awareness of the national effort to close the gap by:
- Disseminating information.
- Acting as a forum for policy discussion among Senators and Members.
- Providing feedback to Senators and Members from campaign members on the activities being undertaken to close the gap.
- Providing opportunities for Senators and Members to engage at a community level with efforts to close the gap.
- Providing updated information for Senators and Members on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health initiatives and best practice outcomes.
Contact Persons:
Mrs Lucy Wicks MP
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy
Senator Rachel Siewert
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF CRICKET
The group encourages Senators and Members to join in celebration of Australia's national sport. The group aims to engage all Senators and Members with any cricket programs within their electorates and celebrate the important contribution that cricket makes to Australian society.
Contact Persons:
The Hon Christian Porter MP
The Hon Kate Ellis MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF DEMENTIA
The group’s objectives are:
- to provide opportunities for Senators and Members to share opinions and discuss policy issues with stakeholders, practitioners, researchers and peak bodies dedicated to dementia treatment, research and awareness;
- to provide a forum in which stakeholders, practitioners, researchers and peak bodies dedicated to dementia treatment, research and awareness can meet and interact with Senators and Members to discuss issues important to their constituents; and
- to disseminate information to Senators and Members on dementia issues.
Contact Persons:
Mr Andrew Laming MP
Senator Helen Polley
(Co-Convenors)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF DIABETES
The purpose of the group is to raise awareness with Members of Parliament and the wider community of the impact and prevalence of diabetes in the community. The group will promote the development of public policies and increase public awareness and knowledge of comprehensive management regimes and will be able to engage with research and medical groups that work to prevent, manage, understand and cure diabetes.
Contact Persons:
Mr Graham Perrett MP
Mr Rowan Ramsey MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF DISABILITY
This group will provide a forum for Senators and Members to raise awareness amongst Parliamentarians of some of the issues faced by people with disabilities, their families and their carers.
Contact Persons:
Senator Rachel Siewert
Senator Linda Reynolds
Senator Carol Brown
(Co-Convenors)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
The Parliamentary Friends of Early Childhood (PFEC) will seek to raise awareness with members of Parliament and the community about early childhood issues such as quality early childhood education, early intervention, developmental issues, childhood vulnerability, parental education and child safety. In addressing these and other issues PFEC will promote and advocate for evidence-based policies both in the Parliament as well as in the broader community to ensure that we are providing Australian children with the best possible opportunity to reach their full potential.
The PFEC will also engage with the early childhood sector to establish an ongoing dialogue for Parliamentarians about the important issues in early childhood.
Contact Persons:
Mr Andrew Laming MP
Ms Lisa Chesters MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF END OF LIFE
Friends of End of Life aims to:
- disseminate accurate information to Senators and Members on End of Life issues and services available;
- act as a forum for policy discussion among Senators and Members on End of Life care and facilities; and
- provide feedback to Senators and Members on opinions and concerns raised by community groups and constituents around End of Life issues.
Contact Persons:
Senator Catryna Bilyk
Ms Nola Marino MP
(Co-Convenors)
PARLIAMENTARIANS AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE FRIENDSHIP GROUP
The purpose of this group is to increase awareness of the problem of family violence by:
- Liaising with key advocates in the field of family violence
- Providing a forum for discussion and dissemination of new research and reports; and
- Receiving updates on current efforts to address family violence throughout Australia and how those efforts can be improved.
Contact Persons:
Mr Tim Watts MP
(Chair)
Mr Andrew Broad MP
Mr Andrew Hastie MP
(Co-Deputy Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF FORESTRY AND FOREST PRODUCTS
The purpose of this group is to raise awareness of the issues facing the industry and will be a vehicle for forest related groups to speak directly to Members and Senators.
Contact Persons:
Mr Tony Pasin MP
The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF FREE TV
The purpose of this group is to promote and support a strong, competitive and vibrant commercial free-to-air television industry in Australia, recognising the cultural and economic importance of the industry and the services it provides to all Australians free of charge.
This group recognises the necessity of commercial free-to-air television to the 13 million plus Australians who tune-in every day, and seeks to reinforce the role that television plays in the lives of all Australians and in the national narrative more broadly.
The Free TV friendship group is an excellent opportunity to engage directly with members of Free TV sector and learn about new developments, existing issues and the future of Free TV.
Contact Persons:
Ms Melissa Price MP
Mr Tim Watts MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF GUN CONTROL
The purpose of this group is to provide a forum for Members and Senators to meet and interact with experts and advocates on the effects of gun control measures.
Contact Persons:
The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP
Mr John Alexander MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATIONS
This group will provide a forum for Senators and Members to educate and empower the community and their colleagues for the prevention and better care and management of cardiovascular disease.
Contact Persons:
Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP
Ms Michelle Landry MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF HIV/AIDS, BLOOD BORNE VIRUSES AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
- To disseminate accurate information to Senators and Members on HIV/AIDS, BBVs and STIs;
- To act as a forum for policy discussion among Senators and Members on HIV/AIDS, BBVs and STIs;
- To provide feedback to Senators and Members on opinions and concerns raised by community groups and constituents on HIV/AIDS, BBVs and STIs; and
- To promote the human rights and prevent stigma and discrimination against those living with hepatitis and HIV.
Contact Persons:
Senator Dean Smith
(Chair)
Senator the Hon Lisa Singh
(Deputy Chair)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE
The aim of this bipartisan Group is to support the vital role of innovation and enterprise in the Australian economy. In the 45th Parliament, the Group also seeks to raise the profile of entrepreneurialism within the Parliament, and to provide a forum for disucssion about issues related to innovation.
Contact Persons:
Mr David Coleman MP
The Hon Terri Butler MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF AUSTRALIAN LIVE MUSIC
The Parliamentary Friends of Australian Live Music objectives are:
- To raise awareness of the contribution the live music industry makes to the Australian economy.
- To support and promote the work of the live music industry.
- To recognise the role live music plays in Australian culture and communicating Australian culture to the world.
- To keep Members and Senators informed as to how public policy is affecting the live music industry.
Contact Persons:
Ms Nicolle Flint MP
Mr Stephen Jones MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF LUNG HEALTH
The group provides a non-partisan forum for MPs to meet and interact with medical experts, patients and not-for-profit groups to discuss medical developments and awareness campaigns relating to lung health.
Contact Persons:
Mr John Alexander MP
Mr Steve Georganas MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUP FOR LGBTIQ AUSTRALIANS
The Parliamentary Friendship Group for LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer) Australians provides feedback for Senators and Members on the opinions and concerns of LGBTIQ community groups and constituents. It disseminates relevant information and updates to Senators and Members, acts as a forum for Senators and Members to discuss LGBTIQ issues, and promotes the fair and equitable treatment of LGBTIQ Australians and their families.
Contact Persons
The Hon Warren Entsch MP
Mr Graham Perrett MP
Senator Janet Rice
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF MEDICINES
The group provides a non-partisan forum for MPs to meet and interact with medical experts, patients and representatives of the medicines industry to discuss medical developments and health issues important to constituents.
Contact Persons:
Mr John Alexander MP
Senator Claire Moore
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF MEN'S SHEDS
The aim of the Parliamentary Friends of Men's Sheds Group is to promote social inclusion and education among men in every local community. Men's Sheds play an important and practical role in connecting men with their communities, dealing proactively with men's health issues, and they give men a healthy sense of ownership of a very worthwhile project
Contact Persons:
Mr Mark Coulton MP
Mr Chris Hayes MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF MULTICULTURLISM
This group will provide a non-partisan forum for MPs to meet and interact with the broader culturally diverse community on matters relating to social inclusion and cohesion.
Contact Persons
Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP
Mr Russell Broadbent MP
Senator Richard Di Natale
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF NETBALL
The group will have the following goals:
- To build communities of healthy, confident and resilient girls and women through participation and world-class competition;
- To enable young girls and women to develop life skills and a sense of belonging; and
- To provide opportunities for Netball players to engage with parliamentarians in lead up to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018.
Contact Persons:
Ms Joanne Ryan MP
Senator Bridget McKenzie
(Co-Convenors)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF PARKINSON'S GROUP
The primary objective of Parliamentary Friends of Parkinson's is to support the work of Parkinson's Australia in improving funding for services and to broaden research and awareness for people living with Parkinson's disease.
Contact Persons:
Ms Anne Sudmalis MP
Senator Carol Brown
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF POLIO SURVIVORS
The goal of Parliamentary Friends of Polio survivors is to raise awareness with Members of Parliament and the wider community about the issues relating to polio survivors such as lifting the profile and awareness of health concerns and working towards increased research into issues such as the late onset of polio among polio survivors.
Parliamentary Friends of Polio Survivors would enable first hand communication of issues and concerns with Polio Australia. It would also be a forum to access materials, brochures and information to government programs and possible funding.
Contact Persons:
Mr Mark Coulton MP
Mr Steve Georganas MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY GROUP ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
The group will provide a forum for Senators and Members to meet and interact with experts from various organisations working on international aid and development, the Australian public service and visiting international parliamentarians on matters relating to gender equality, women's empowerment and reproductive health.
Contact Persons:
Mr Ann Sudmalis MP (Chair)
Senator Claire Moore (Co-Deputy Chair)
Senator Scott Ludlum (Co-Deputy Chair)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS
The Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness Group aims to raise awareness for those in our communities who are affected by prostate cancer – the sufferers, the survivors, and the family and friends. Prostate cancer accounts for approximately 30 per cent of cancers diagnosed each year in Australian men and the risks increase with age. The group will help and support prostate cancer service providers, practitioners and organisations in their work to/and promote a greater awareness within our communities and throughout Australia.
Contact Persons:
The Hon Jason Clare MP
The Hon Warren Entsch MP
(Co-Convenors)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF RAIL
The vision of the group is to strengthen the rail industry in Australia, through creating opportunities for leaders in both government and the business sector to meet and discuss issues of key importance to Australia's economic future. Members of the group will be engaged on key rail issues, participate in policy discussions and interact with top industry leaders and fellow rail adnovates.
Contact Persons:
Mr Stephen Jones MP
Mr John Alexander MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF REGIONAL ARTS
It is intended that this group will provide a forum for Members and Senators to meet and interact to gain an understanding about the importance of arts and culture as a driving force in maintaining robust and sustainable communities in regional Australia. Key interests include:
- Indigenous economic and cultural advancements through the arts.
- Arts and Health - living well and ageing well in regional Australia.
- The role of arts in education as part of the curriculum in schools.
- Local government as an important catalyst for arts delivery in regional Australia.
Contact Persons:
The Hon Warren Snowdon MP
Mr Mark Coulton MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF ROAD SAFETY
The Parliamentary Friendship Group of Road Safety has four main objectives:
- Elevate within the Federal Parliament greater awareness of road safety.
- Inform Federal Parliamentarians of the need for continued improvement in road safety outcomes.
- Inform Federal Parliamentarians of the national and international initiatives with potential to improve road safety outcomes.
- Ensure the Federal members of Parliament are aware of the enormous social and economic cost of failing to continually prioritise improved road safety outcomes.
Contact Persons:
Senator Alex Gallacher
Mr Llew O'Brien MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF RUGBY LEAGUE
The group will provide a forum for Senators and Members to meet and interact with Rugby League organisations and its members to support the importance of this sport in Australia.
Contact Persons:
The Hon Craig Laundy MP
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF RUGBY UNION
This group will provide a forum for Senators and Members to meet and interact with professional and amateur Rugby Union associations and clubs on matters relating to promoting the spirit and values of Rugby Union and the contribution it makes to our society from grass-roots to the international stage; providing opportunities for Members and Senators to have greater involvement with Rugby Union in their electorate; and providing opportunities for Members and Senators to engage with players from the Wallabies, Wallaroos and Men's and Women's Sevens Programs as they prepare for interntioanal tournaments and use those opportunities to promote Rugby Union in schools and sporting environments.
Contact Persons:
Mr Jason Falinski MP
Mr Graham Perrett MP
(Chair and Deputy Chair)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF SCIENCE
The group will have the following goals:
- To enable a meaningful dialogue between scientific leaders and parliamentarians about the science that underpins policy and to inform political debate.
- To provide a forum for eminent Australian and visiting scientists to engage with parliamentarians.
- To provide a mechanism for parliamentarians to seek expertise from scientists in relevant disciplines.
Contact Persons:
The Hon Karen Andrews MP
The Hon Richard Marles MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF SHOOTING
The group aims to connect like-minded individuals who have an interest in recreational shooting. It will promote, and coordinate events to promote, responsible shooting and hunting sports, both competitive and recreational, for Members and Senators. In a regular newsletter, members will be able to read about the latest in competitive shooting and national issues concerning pistols, rifles, clay targets and hunting. It will be an informal group where members can discuss their mutual interest in this sport.
Contact Persons:
Senator Bridget McKenzie
The Hon Anthony Byrne MP
(Chair and Deputy Chair)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF SUICIDE PREVENTION
The group's objectives are:
- To acknowledge the innate health risk suicide poses to our society;
- To address regional/rural areas and other groups at higher risk of suicide; and
- To act as a forum for policy discussion among Senators and Members on suicide prevention stratregies.
Contact Persons:
Mr Julian Leeser MP
The Hon Dr Mike Kelly MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF SURF LIFE SAVING
This group allows Members of Parliament to celebrate and recognise the hard work of the many thousands of surf life saving volunteers around the country as well as the imporant work of Life Saving Australia. Each quarter, we also acknowledge and recognise individuals and clubs who have been involved in outstanding acts of bravery through SLSA's Rescue of the Month awards.
Contact Persons:
Ms Sarah Henderson MP
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF TUBERCULOSIS GROUP
The group will provide a forum for all Senators and Members to meet and interact with various tuberculosis organisations to focus on the Asia-Pacific region and increasing parliamentary awareness about tuberculosis and its impact.
Contact Persons:
Mr Warren Entsch MP
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF TOURETTE SYNDROME
The Parliamentary Friends of Tourette Syndrome's objectives are:
- To raise awareness of and overcome stereotypes and stigmas associated with Tourette Syndrome.
- To support and promote the work of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia and other advocacy groups who are working in the interests of those living with Tourette Syndrome.
- To encourage legislation, policy and initiatives to support and assist those living with Tourette Syndrome and the early diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome.
Contact Persons:
Mr Chris Crewther MP
Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore
(Co-Chairs)
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The Parliamentary Friends of Western Australia will:
- promote the work of Western Australian community organisations and businesses;
- highlight the significant contribution that Western Australia makes to the Commonwealth;
- promote Western Australia's unique natural environment of flora and fauna;
- encourage the sustainable development of Western Australian industries and services;
- draw attention to the significant challenges facing the state of Western Australia; and
- assist in the promotion and exposure of Western Australian sports, brands, products and projects
Contact Persons:
Mr Matt Keogh MP
Mr Rick Wilson MP
(Co-Chairs)