Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS 2024

A second Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS meeting was held within the 47th Parliament. Parliamentary Friendship Groups (non-country) are formally recognised by the Presiding Officers. Their recognition lasts for the term of Parliament. 

Thank you to Emerge Australia for convening a Steering Committee and organising the event. Other organisations and groups represented in the Steering Committee included Bridges & Pathways Institute, ME Advocacy Network Australia (MEANA), ME/CFS Australia and ME Group Australia (MEGA).

Thank you also to the many people who attended, either in-person or online, to learn about ME/CFS and the challenges facing our community.

ME/CFS Australia was represented in Canberra by Chair, Sarah FitzGerald, and Director, Craig Pickering. Sarah was also representing ME/CFS/FM Support Association QLD and Craig also represented ME/CFS South Australia.

The event

The entire event was streamed and the recording is now available along with further details about the speakers and presentations.

ME/CFS South Australia was pleased to offer use of the two lived experience videos that were created with support from Hon Emily Bourke MLC, Assistant Minister for Austism in SA. These stories provided a powerful introduction to the importance of the matters raised during the meeting.

Megan and Angus' story

Bruce and Nicola's story

ME/CFS Australia's presentation

Penelope McMillan, Spokeperson for ME/CFS Australia, was unable to attend in person, providing instead a prerecorded presentation about the MRAC review of MBS allied health chronic disease management services.