Zali Steggall - Olympian, Barrister, Community Independent

Zali Steggall burst onto Australia’s political stage in 2019, unseating a 25-year incumbent to become an outspoken community independent. A world-champion slalom skier turned high-stakes advocate, Zali seamlessly transitioned from life at the Olympic starting gate to the House of Representatives.

In her maiden speech, she warned that big money and “spin” were eroding trust in Parliament—an issue she’s since taken head-on, campaigning to outlaw misleading political advertising and push Australia toward net-zero emissions.

As a former barrister who helped write key climate legislation and fought to cancel offshore gas leases off Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Zali is as comfortable debating amendment clauses in committee rooms as she once was racing down a World Cup course.

On today’s podcast, she’ll share:

• How the “fight-or-flight” pressure of Olympic slalom prepared her for the national parliament
• What it takes to pass truth-in-political-advertising laws (and why the major parties still resist)
• Why she sees a minority government as a chance for genuine cross-bench consensus
• The unfinished business—from closing campaign-finance loopholes to toughening the National Anti-Corruption Commission

Join us to hear how a former world champion skier uses that same razor-sharp focus to tackle Australia’s biggest policy challenges and restore integrity to our democratic process