Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS

Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS
Tuesday 10 March

On 10 March at 11am (AEDT) ME/CFS Alliance Australia, and co-chair Dr Mike Freelander MP invite you virtually to the 2026 meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS.

This meeting will bring together parliamentarians, clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience to highlight the urgent and growing needs of Australians living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

The session aims to:

strengthen engagement between the Alliance and parliamentarians in support of stronger policy and community outcomes.
highlight the challenges faced by people with invisible or fluctuating symptoms, and
promote the need for improved clinical and disability supports
highlight the need for coordinated and prioritised research investment.

Meeting Details

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm (AEDT)
Venue: Online via Zoom

01 HOST

Anne Wilson

Chief Executive Officer, Emerge Australia

Anne is an accomplished NFP CEO with a former focus in respiratory and renal health, and a track record engaging stakeholders and building capacity across advocacy, education, research and service delivery.

Anne’s current focus is dedicated to empowering Australians impacted by ME/CFS and long COVID. A graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business NFP Leadership Program, Anne’s qualifications span degrees in Human Services and Adolescent Health.

In 2008, Anne was recognised as the NFP Network Association CEO of the Year, and currently is Director and Secretary/Treasurer of the International Kidney Cancer Coalition.

02 Introducing

Henry Barker

Lived experience with ME/CFS and long COVID

Henry, an aspiring writer, has a passion for literature and has bravely navigated the complexities of long COVID.

His experience sheds light on the importance of tailored approaches for diagnosing and managing this condition in young people.

Read more here

03 Introducing

Dr Mike Freelander MP

Member for Macarthur, Co-Chair Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS Group

Mike has been the Member for Macarthur since 2016. 

 Mike worked as a paediatrician in Campbelltown & Camden for nearly 40 years and has dedicated himself to making sure his local community is supported, cared for and receives the best outcomes possible.

Read more here

04 Introducing

Sandra Goodyer

Carer to adult child with me/cfs

Hello ! My husband, Dominic and I, are parents to two beautiful boys, aged 25 years and 21 years. Our eldest son (*) continues to be treated by a ME/CFS specialist GP for a number of years now, his condition bought on likely post contracting three significant infections at different times: Glandular Fever, Ross River Fever and Rickettsia.

Read more here

05 Introducing

Dr Monique ryan mp

Federal member for Kooyong

Prior to entering parliament in May 2022, I was a paediatric neurologist, medical researcher, and head of neurology at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Read more here

06 Introducing

Professor Peter Schofield AO FAHMS PhD DSc

Chair of the Mason Foundation National Medical Advisory Panel

Professor Peter Schofield is a neuroscientist who has held multiple senior leadership roles in health and medical research, including as CEO of Neuroscience Research Australia, one of Australia’s leading centres of neuroscience research (2004-2022), President of the Australasian Neuroscience Society (2020-2022) and as Interim Director of the NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research (2016-2017).

Read more here

Our event partners

This event would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of the following ME/CFS organisations. Learn more about their vital work by visiting their websites:

Together, we’ve taking another step towards ensuring that the ME/CFS community receives the care, recognition, and support it deserves.