Hon Dr Anne Aly MP presenting at an ECU event in 2022.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) alumni are enjoying big moves as a result of the 2025 Federal Election.
Hon Dr Anne Aly MP
Esteemed ECU alumna and former academic, Hon Dr Anne Aly MP has been promoted to Labor’s new Federal Cabinet, following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent re-election.
As a member of the Parliament of Australia, Dr Aly will now serve as Minister for Small Business, Minister for International Development and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
She was elected as the Federal Member for Cowan in 2016, after which her political career has seen her serve as the Minister for Youth and Minister for Early Childhood Education.
In 2011, Dr Aly was appointed a Member of the Women’s Hall of Fame in WA for contributions to the State.
She completed a Graduate Diploma of Arts (Language Studies) in 1994, Master of Education in 1996 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 2008 at ECU.
Dr Aly also worked as a Lecturer and Professor at ECU, specialising in counter terrorism and countering violent extremism. She was awarded the Australian Security Medal for her contributions in this area in 2016.
Hon Trish Cook MP
Hon Trish Cook MP has been elected Member for Bullwinkel.
ECU alumna and current PhD candidate, Trish Cook has become the first ever elected Member for the new outer metropolitan seat of Bullwinkel.
"I'm so grateful to be the first ever member for Bullwinkel, named in honour of an amazing nurse Sr Vivian Bullwinkel," said Ms Cook.
"Since I was 17, I have advocated for my patients, as a Shire Councillor, I've advocated for my community, and I will continue to advocate for the people and environment of Bullwinkel as the local member of parliament."
Bullwinkel is WA's newest Federal Electorate, named after pioneering nurse and war hero Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel.
In honour of the new seat's namesake, it is a nice fit that Cook, who was a hospital-based trained nurse and midwife, completed a Bachelor of Nursing at ECU in 1991. She furthered her studies to gain a Masters in Occupational Health and Safety in 2007, and is currently studying a Doctor of Philosophy in ECU's School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Ms Cook is also a former participant of ECU's very own media training workshops run by our in-house media experts.
"I have always leaned in when an opportunity arose. As Deputy Mundaring Shire President and Councillor of 8 years, I felt I knew the electorate very well and wanted to see compassionate representation at the Federal level," said Ms Cook.
"Having tutored ECU nursing undergraduates about the social determinants of health I support policy to rectify the root causes of ill health."
ECU's namesake
These moves are reminiscent of ECU’s namesake, Edith Dircksey Cowan, whose life was dedicated to contributing to a movement for reform, including becoming the first woman elected to an Australian Parliament.
ECU congratulates both Dr Anne Aly and Trish Cook for their achievements.
