Join ME/CFS Alliance Australia, and co-chair Dr Mike Freelander MP on 10 March at 11am (AEDT) for the virtual 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).
Hear presentations from;
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.
Henry’s story is featured in the book (along with Emma Tippett and Michelle Scouller) ‘The Rehabilitation and Management of Long COVID’, highlighting the unique challenges faced by children and young people.
James Dunn, Lived experience with ME/CFS, volunteer Ambassador with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
James was born and raised in Canberra. He studied arts and law at the Australian National University and then worked as a lawyer for a multi-national law firm for 7 years before starting a legal and commercial consulting firm with a colleague in 2011 which grew to be a national business.
In May 2018 James fell ill with what was later diagnosed as myalgic encephalomyelitis (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
In late 2023 after a period of part-time work to try and manage his condition, James had to cease employment to focus on trying to manage his health. James is now a volunteer Ambassador with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in Australia and New Zealand and enjoys raising awareness of those people who live with non-visible disabilities and health conditions like ME, the challenges they face and how we can all help to make their lives a little bit easier.
Dr Mike Freelander MP, Member for Macarthur, Chair of the Health, Aged Care and Disability Committee, 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.
Mike has a long connection to Macarthur as he opened his very first clinics in Campbelltown and Camden in 1984, which occurred the same day that Medicare was established. Mike also worked at Campbelltown Hospital where he took on the role as Head of Paediatrics from 1986 to 2013. His hard work and dedication to the region earnt him the respect of local families and residents.
In his near 4 decades as a paediatrician in the Macarthur region, Mike has seen over 200,000 patients.
Sandra Goodyer, Carer to adult child living 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. He was otherwise always very happy and healthy growing up, “bulletproof” as they say, and enjoyed achievements in both sporting and academic pursuits. Prior to becoming unwell he was a squad swimmer, enjoyed mountain biking, bush walking, camping and fishing. He was awarded an academic scholarship in senior high school and went on to complete a Bachelor of Finance at the Australian National University, and worked a full-time role in property management.
As he began to feel progressively unwell with ME/CFS symptoms, he moved to a part-time role in property management. Then more recently in September 2025, had to give up work due to worsening symptoms, that includes POTS, brain fog and significant weakness/fatigue, that renders him too weak to hold a conversation at times. He is now in the moderate, leaning to severe category which considerably restricts his daily movements and is largely housebound. Our son has visited multiple medical specialists over the years and tried countless alternative therapies, but with no improvements to date. That said, we continue to be hopeful of future developments to treat/cure this condition.
We are immensely grateful for the support that has been provided by Emerge Australia, particularly in the form of up-to-date evidence based information and research underway, telehealth appointments with qualified nursing staff and help to engage carers in support groups so we can talk to others who are grappling with understanding and caring for their loved ones with this debilitating chronic illness, that sadly, continues to be largely “invisible” to many in our community, including our health frameworks and professionals.
*Name has been withheld due to privacy reasons at our son’s request
Professor Michael Kidd AO, Chief Medical Officer
Michael is the Australian Government’s Chief Medica Officer bringing a wealth of experience to this role with his career as a general practitioner and health researcher.
He previously served as President for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the World Organisation of Family Doctors and held academic appointments at Monash University, the University of Sydney, Flinders University, the Australian National University and the University of Toronto.
Michael currently is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and is the Foundation Director of the International Centre for Future Health Systems at the University of New South Wales.
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.
I left a career I loved because I believed that the people of Kooyong deserved an Independent MP who would represent their values in Canberra. I’ve lived in Kooyong most of my life, and my husband and I are raising our three children here.
Thanks to the support of the incredible community, I was elected to advocate for urgent action on climate change, integrity in politics, and a strong and sustainable economy.
As a doctor, I worked hard and always acted with care and compassion. It’s what I do now as the Independent Member for Kooyong.
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).
His roles in sector advocacy and leadership have included being a Founding Director of many for-purpose or start-up companies including Research Australia and the Australian Dementia Network Ltd, and as a director of the Association of Australia Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI).
Peter has served as Chair of the Mason Foundation National Medical Advisory Panel since 2015. His research interests focus on neurogenetic contributions to brain function, to psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. He has published over 480 papers, is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and a conjoint Professor of Medicine at UNSW Sydney.
In the 2019 Australia Day Awards he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medical and scientific research in the field of neuroscience, and to professional institutions.
Dr Emma Tippett, Director Clinic Nineteen
Emma began her career in basic science research before pursuing a medical degree and specialising in infectious diseases. This foundation in both science and medicine shaped her approach to clinical practice, particularly during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Immersed in all aspects of COVID‐19 care, Emma played a key role in establishing ambulatory care networks for acute COVID‐19 in Victoria and provided medical support for healthcare staff experiencing post‐COVID syndrome (long COVID).
Recognising the lack of dedicated services for people with long COVID, she founded Clinic Nineteen, a pioneering national telehealth clinic which has now served over 1500 people, including children, across Australia.
Driven by a genuine commitment to finding effective treatments‐and ultimately a cure for long COVID, Emma has returned to research at Burnet Institute to specifically identify effective therapies, better understand the pathobiology of the disease, and explore novel treatment options. Her work bridges clinical care and research, with the goal of improving outcomes for people living with long COVID.
Rebecca White MP, Member for Lyons, Assistant Minister for Women, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care
Rebecca grew up on a farm and maintains a love of the land and animals. She lives with her young family on a small acreage at Richmond in Tasmania.
Rebecca is passionate about ensuring there is equality of opportunity for all Australians regardless of where they live, their background or circumstances.
First elected to the Tasmanian Parliament in 2010 for the seat of Lyons, Rebecca served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier in the Labor government and was later appointed Minister for Human Services. She was the Leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party from 2017 to 2024.
Rebecca was elected to the Federal Parliament in 2025 and appointed Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health and Women.
Rebecca graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2004 with a combined Commerce and Arts degree with majors in international business management and marketing, journalism and political science. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
