If there’s anything you should care about this election, it’s this.
Dr Anne Aly has claimed the West Australian seat of Cowan for Labor, becoming the first muslim woman to be welcomed into the Australian parliament in the process.
And you know what? This historic event is excellent for SO. MANY. REASONS.
Dr Anne Aly with Labor leader Bill Shorten. Source: Facebook.
Aside from somehow managing to be a woman, mother-of-two and Muslim at the same time (gasp!), Aly has also dedicated her professional life to understanding one of society's most misunderstood and marginalised groups.
Working as a researcher and lecturer at Edith Cowan University, Aly specialises in counter terrorism and the de-radicalisation of potential and former terrorists.
She also founded People Against Violent Extremism, an organisation that works with governments and the community in improving safety.
And if there was ever a time that our federal parliament desperately needed an expert voice on those very issues, it's now, when people like Pauline Hanson are climbing back onto their publicly funded soapboxes to spread uneducated fear and hatred.
Dr Anne Aly talks about radicalisation on Q&A. Post continues...
Top Comments
Well, I say give her a fair go and see how she does like any newly elected member. I do fear however she will face a few frustrations being a conviction candidate, like Peter Garrett was. In the ALP you do what the union bosses tell you. Just ask Penny Wong or Julia Gillard when it comes to gay marriage and the Shoppies Union, or any nsw labor premier, too many to list. Like any other Labor MP, she's not their to push her own agenda or represent her electorate without her Union masters direction.
We now continue a 25 year period potentially in which Labor has won majority federal government only once and that was with a non Union puppet the unions eventually dispensed with. The nation has moved on in so many ways since 1993 and if the unions don't catch up the ALP, having just achieved its second lowest primary vote in 70 years will continue to die out. If the Greens ever figured out they aren't going to grow from trying to take lib Nat supporters anywhere near the level they would if they preyed on the sick old ALP instead, Greens could become the left wing alternative to the LNP.
I didn't realize she founded PAVE. Brilliant!
Some people (like me) complain why don't the Muslims stand up to the ISIS terrorism? Well, looks like she is doing just that with her PAVE organisation and the programs to combat violent extremism. I am glad she is in and setting a great example to other Muslims.
I am so grateful we have a democratic society that allows individuals such as Aly, Xenophon, Lambie and Hinch to have an influence in our government.