Sen. Michelle Ananda-Rajah

Dr. Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Australia’s first Tamil Parliamentarian, brings a uniquely intersectional perspective shaped by her upbringing in the UK and Zambia. As a doctor-scientist specialising in infectious diseases, she became a prominent advocate for frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, challenging both her profession and the Morrison Government to ensure their voices were heard. This first-hand experience of systemic shortcomings drew her into politics with the Labor Party, where she made history in 2022 as the first Labor Member for Higgins in the seat’s 75-year history. Following the abolition of Higgins in 2025, Michelle’s dedication to public service strengthened as she secured the third spot on Labor’s Victorian Senate ticket—an achievement not seen since 2007. She enters the Senate with the same vigour and compassion that defined her medical and parliamentary careers, committed to easing cost-of-living pressures, fostering Australia’s skills and ambition, and advancing a more inclusive, sustainable, and competitive nation where everyone gets a fair go.