Dr Kerryn Phelps AM

Dr Kerryn Phelps has reshaped Australia’s social and political landscape as a pioneering politician, public health and civil rights advocate, and media commentator. In 2018, she became the first woman and Independent elected to the seat of Wentworth in the House of Representatives. Earlier, she served on the Council of the City of Sydney and was Deputy Lord Mayor (2016–2017).

A trailblazer in medicine, Dr Phelps was the first female President of the Australian Medical Association, influencing health policy at state and federal levels. She resolved the medical indemnity crisis, advanced workforce policy, championed Indigenous health, and introduced AMA policies on climate change, complementary medicine, and sexuality and gender diversity.

For over 30 years, Dr Phelps has communicated health knowledge to the public as a medical reporter, health columnist for the Australian Women’s Weekly, and author of six health books. She founded two successful multidisciplinary medical practices and continues to provide solutions for complex health issues through her clinical work.

A lifelong advocate for LGBTQI inclusion, Dr Phelps played a pivotal role in achieving marriage equality in Australia. She is Patron of ACON’s Pride in Health+Wellbeing program and a Conjoint Professor at NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University. She has been awarded the Order of Australia, the Centenary Medal, and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters.