Michelle Ananda-Rajah
ALP Federal

Deputy Chair, Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy

Elected 2025

1 year

Senator for Victoria (VIC)

Federal - VIC

Michelle was born in 1972 in the United Kingdom to Sri Lankan Tamil parents and emigrated to Australia aged 11 after having lived in England and Africa.

She graduated from the University of Sydney (USYD) in 1996, attaining a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery with honours. She completed her PhD in 2013 at the University of Melbourne. She has worked as a clinician and a researcher in general medicine and infectious diseases at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne for the 13 years prior t...

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Committees

  • Community Affairs: Legislation
  • Community Affairs: References
  • Environment and Communications: Legislation
  • Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation
  • Migration
  • Human Rights
  • Productivity in Australia
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See It In Action

First Speech in Parliament

1 August 2022

# Health Care # Climate Change # Social Equity

Personal Background and Values

  • Dr. Ananda-Rajah shares her journey from a migrant background, highlighting her family's resilience and her professional evolution as a physician and activist.
  • She stresses the importance of listening to frontline workers and the impact of her experiences during the pandemic on her political awakening.

Policy Focus Areas

  • Advocates for health care reforms, particularly regarding worker safety and ventilation standards, based on personal experiences during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Emphasises the need for child care reform and addressing inequalities, especially for women in the workforce, and advocates for a fairer society.

Future Agenda and Vision

  • Calls for a comprehensive approach to climate change, promoting a One Health model that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
  • Envisions an inclusive and sustainable future for Australia, focusing on innovation, social cohesion, and generational investment.

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FAQ

Michelle Ananda-Rajah represents the Senate seat of Victoria in the Australian Parliament.

Michelle Ananda-Rajah is a member of the Australian Labor Party.

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In Parliament

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Budget

Australian Federal Parliament • Senate • 14 May

AI Summary

  • Senator Ananda-Rajah emphasised that quality health care should be accessible with a Medicare card rather than a credit card.
  • He inquired how the budget's new measures to strengthen Medicare align with the government's previous actions for affordable health care.
  • Ananda-Rajah questioned the rationale behind the government's chosen approach to health care funding.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Budget

Australian Federal Parliament • Senate • 14 May

AI Summary

  • Senator Ananda-Rajah emphasised the importance of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia's health system, highlighting the need for affordable medicines.
  • He questioned how the Albanese government plans to provide cheaper medicines to Australians.
  • The focus was on ensuring that Australians do not have to choose between necessary medications and financial obligations.

Social Media

Posted on Facebook • 1 June 2026

I joined a field tour across the Mornington Peninsula with @leanaustralia and @vicnationalparks, visiting key conservation sites. It was an opportunity to see how our landmark environmental laws passed last year could work. We travelled through Arthurs Seat, Greens Bush, and the Mornington Peninsula National Park, including the Flinders Blowhole. The tour also included discussion at the Eagle Chairlift regarding the Luge Project, alongside conversations about long-term planning across the region. A valuable opportunity to see these issues firsthand and hear directly from environmental advocates.
Open Post

Posted on Facebook • 30 May 2026

EV charging where you live and work ⚡️ Backed by the Albanese Government through the ARENA Driving the Nation Program, with $1.5 million in funding helping roll out EV charging infrastructure in apartment buildings across Australia.
Open Post

Posted on LinkedIn • 23 March 2026

Health

I was joined by Assistant Minister Rebecca White in Moorabbin as we discussed the issues relating to women's health. Constituents, heads of non-profits and faculty at the Homesglen institute came together to share their thoughts and experiences on a variety of topics, including medical misogyny, women's pain, contraception, endometriosis, menopause, culture in workplaces and investment in research. Thank you to all those who came and those who shared their stories. Your lived experience sh...
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Posted on LinkedIn • 20 February 2026

Consumer Affairs Scams

Meta are only doing a fraction of what they could be doing to combat fake accounts on their platforms. During the Senate Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy I discussed this with Meta's representatives. Doing you think Meta are doing enough to fight scams, fraud and abuse on Facebook / Instagram?
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