PATRONS

The Hon Daniel ANDREWS - Profile Image

OUR PATRONS

The Hon Daniel ANDREWS AC

Former Premier of Victoria (2014-2023)

The Hon. Dan Andrews AC served as Victoria’s 48th Premier between 2014 and 2023. He is the longest-serving Labor Premier in Victorian history, having secured three election victories by record margins.

His leadership was defined by action and achievement. The biggest ever infrastructure program together with unparalleled investments in health, education, skills and renewable energy are hallmarks of his time as Premier.

A progressive social reform agenda and a focus on international engagement, productivity, technology and research were also key to his leadership.

During his years as Premier, Dan also led a team that dealt with some of the most significant challenges in decades. From fire to flood to global pandemic Dan is acknowledged as a leader of conviction with unparalleled communication and policy skills.

Before entering Parliament, Dan was the Party Vice Secretary in Victoria. Prior to serving as Premier and Party Leader, Dan was a reforming Health Minister and Minister with responsibility for regulatory affairs. Dan left politics in September 2023, and at that time, was Australia’s longest serving ‘First Minister’.

Dan met his wife Catherine at Monash University’s Mannix College. They married in 1998 and they live in Mulgrave with their three children, Noah, Grace and Joseph. His interests include, history, biography and golf.

OUR PATRONS

Nova Peris OAM OLY

Professional Athlete
Nova Peris OAM OLY is a descendant of the Gija people of East Kimberley, the Yawuru people of the West Kimberley & the Gagudju people of West Arnhem Land. 
 
While Nova’s achievements as an international athlete brought attention to the potential of Aboriginal women, undoubtedly it was her explosive time in Federal Parliament which showcased her desire to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She has been, and continues to be, a trailblazer for Aboriginal people, as well as an inspiration to Mothers and women of all backgrounds. 
 
Nova competed at two Olympics, four World Championships, three Champions Trophy’s and the Commonwealth Games. In Atlanta in 1996, Nova became the first Aboriginal person to win an Olympic Gold Medal as part of the world-dominant Hockeyroos; she also became the first mother since Shirley Strickland, in 1956, to claim Olympic Gold for Australia. Transitioning her hockey career to sprinting, she became a Commonwealth Games Champion in 1998 in the individual 200m and 4x100m relay, making her the only person to win Olympic and Commonwealth Gold in two sports. She remains the only person on the planet to make back to back Olympic Games Finals in different sports at consecutive Olympics!   
 
Following a successful athletic career, in 2013, Nova became the first Aboriginal woman elected to the Australian Federal Parliament. During Nova’s senate term of three years, she travelled the length of Australia in her tireless endeavours to champion the causes and struggles facing Aboriginal people throughout the country. Pride in her Aboriginal identity is a vital ingredient in her fight for the rights of all people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike. 
 
She has served in roles that include being an International Indigenous Human Rights Ambassador and also a National Ambassador for Reconciliation Australia. She has actively participated in promotional and advocacy campaigns for domestic violence, youth depression and youth suicide. She was an inaugural Board Member and acted as National Patron for Beyond Blue. Nova has also served as the International Ambassador for the World Health Organisation & Griffith University Youth Suicide Prevention, and as an International Ambassador for Hepatitis Australia. She is the current Ambassador of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) and the current Patron of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA). 
 
Nova has written two autobiographies: Nova — My Story and Nova: Finding My Voice.
 
Nova more recently has had her portrait hung in the Australian Parliament in Canberra, started her own charity, The Nova Peris Foundation, had her 2.4 metre bronze statue unveiled in Melbourne and was inducted into the Australian Sports Hall of Fame. 
Nova Peris Profile .

OUR OBJECTIVES

To further our aims and values, Labor Friends of Israel works constructively and collaboratively using the democratic processes of the ALP (Australian Labor Party), including conferences, advocacy, parliamentary scrutiny and debates, and grassroots events and campaigning activities, to:

1.

Promote peace wherever possible by supporting and promoting the Australian Labor party’s consistent and long-standing policy for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and strengthen support for the Jewish state and a two-state solution across the Labor Party;

2.

Encourage respect for the Australian Jewish community through constructive and informed discussion about Israel and the Middle East within the labour movement;

3.

Foster the fraternal relationship between the Australian Labor Party and the Israeli Labor Party, build closer links between Labor parliamentarians, the Israeli Labor party, and other progressive Israeli and Palestinian politicians, trade unions, civic society groups and individuals.

4.

Promote continuing friendship with Israel and further exchange with Australia in areas such as science, technology, environment, commerce, academia and culture.

5.

Build friendship and understanding with the Jewish community and the Australian Labor Party.

6.

Conduct campaigns to help create a lasting peace in the Middle East with Israel safe, secure and recognised within its borders; living alongside a democratic, independent Palestinian state

7.

Support Labor candidates and campaigns, consistent with our values, to win elections and form and retain Labor governments.

By joining the Labor Friends of Israel participants agree to uphold the spirit and objectives of the group as outlined above.