When you talk to people you disagree with, you learn things.
Zoe Daniel is a nationally distinguished journalist, foreign correspondent, author, speaker, and former independent Federal Member for Goldstein.
Zoe made history in 2022 as the first woman elected to the seat of Goldstein, running as a community-backed independent. During her time in Parliament, she championed national reforms to improve women’s safety and economic equality, advocated for fairer student debt policies, and secured critical healthcare funding for her electorate—including an MRI licence for Sandringham Hospital and support for eating disorder services. She also played a key role in strengthening climate legislation and led efforts to introduce integrity measures, such as gambling ad bans and digital safety laws.
A fierce advocate for transparency and independent politics, Zoe continues to drive reform through public speaking, consulting, and community engagement. Her approach is grounded in integrity, impact, and people-first policymaking.
Before entering politics, Zoe spent nearly three decades as a journalist, covering major global events including natural disasters, political upheaval, and the rise of Donald Trump. As the ABC’s Washington Bureau Chief and a seasoned foreign correspondent, her work brought clarity to crises and earned deep public trust.
Zoe is the author of three books—Storyteller, a memoir of life on the front lines of journalism; Angel, a novel inspired by her coverage of Typhoon Haiyan; and Greetings from Trumpland, co-authored with Roscoe Whalan, analysing the Trump era through an Australian lens.
Zoe lives in Melbourne and remains a passionate voice for democracy, equity, and climate action.
Talking Points
From the newsroom to Parliament House
What happens when a journalist becomes a politician? Zoe Daniel shares her experience making the leap from the media to the floor of Parliament -becoming the first Independent to win the seat of Goldstein. Zoe explores how community-driven politics can challenge the status quo, what it’s like to navigate the political machine without a party behind you, and why integrity, transparency and connection matter more than ever in a polarised democracy.
From the newsroom to Parliament House
From the newsroom to Parliament House
What happens when a journalist becomes a politician? Zoe Daniel shares her experience making the leap from the media to the floor of Parliament -becoming the first Independent to win the seat of Goldstein. Zoe explores how community-driven politics can challenge the status quo, what it’s like to navigate the political machine without a party behind you, and why integrity, transparency and connection matter more than ever in a polarised democracy.
From the newsroom to Parliament House
Women in leadership
Why are women still underrepresented in politics, business and media? Drawing on her unique journey as a foreign correspondent, MP and changemaker, Zoe Daniel explores the systemic barriers facing women in leadership - how we can dismantle them. She shares insights into navigating hostile environments, using voice and visibility for impact, and why inclusive leadership is essential to a healthy democracy.
Women in leadership
Community independence
In a time of growing political disillusionment, what does it mean to serve a community, not a party? Zoe Daniel unpacks the rise of Independents, drawing on her own campaign and term as the Federal Member for Goldstein. Zoe Daniel explores the growing movement of community-backed Independents, and how they’re changing the way politics is done. With lessons from the campaign trail and Parliament, she unpacks what authentic representation looks like, how to build trust in fractured times, and why this movement is reshaping democracy from the ground up.
Community independence
Women in Leadership
Why are women still underrepresented in politics, business and media? Drawing on her unique journey as a foreign correspondent, MP and changemaker, Zoe Daniel explores the systemic barriers facing women in leadership - how we can dismantle them. She shares insights into navigating hostile environments, using voice and visibility for impact, and why inclusive leadership is essential to a healthy democracy.
Women in Leadership
Community Independence
In a time of growing political disillusionment, what does it mean to serve a community, not a party? Zoe Daniel unpacks the rise of Independents, drawing on her own campaign and term as the Federal Member for Goldstein. Zoe Daniel explores the growing movement of community-backed Independents, and how they’re changing the way politics is done. With lessons from the campaign trail and Parliament, she unpacks what authentic representation looks like, how to build trust in fractured times, and why this movement is reshaping democracy from the ground up.
Community Independence
Life as a Foreign Correspondent in a 24-hour News Cycle
What's it like to be a foreign correspondent amid the spin cycle of 24 hours news? A candid, behind the scenes look at life as an international journalist and life as a working mum on the frontline of global events.
Life as a Foreign Correspondent in a 24-hour News Cycle
Trumpland
Why did people vote for Donald Trump in 2016 - and in even greater numbers in 2024? Who are his supporters, and what continues to drive their loyalty? What lessons can be drawn from the unprecedented years of the Trump presidency, and how do they shape America and the world today, as Trump remains a dominant political force? What are the implications for Australian politics when someone like Trump is elected for a second term?
Trumpland
Video
Zoe Daniel MP's Address to the National Press Club of Australia
Zoe Daniel MP, Independent Federal Member for Goldstein, Addresses the National Press Club of Australia on "Australian Politics - The Future in Independence".On Liberty ep.42 | Zoe Daniel | How an unprecedented presidency changed everything.
Donald Trump turned America on its head and shocked the world, taking an isolationist approach to foreign policy, shaking up global institutions and fomenting the rise of 'fake news'. How did the reality TV star win over the hearts and minds of so many regular Americans from Ohio to Florida? And how, after four years, does he have more supporters than ever? This week, three-time foreign correspondent and former ABC News US Bureau Chief, Zoe Daniel joins us to discuss her recent book Greetings from Trumpland explores how an unprecedented presidency changed everything. Through interviews with regular Americans who backed the mercurial president in mid-west America, to those who felt the wrath of his no-holds-barred presidency, this book is an inside look at the historic one-term presidency that changed the world and an insightful examination into how America, and the world, can move forward. Join us as Salvatore Babones speaks to Zoe Daniel about this new book and her experience witnessing the unlikely rise of Donald Trump to the presidency, reporting week in and week out on this renegade 'anti-politician'. From historic summits on the world stage with Kim Jong Un, to the rusted steel mills of Pennsylvania, Zoe and co-author Roscoe Whalan were ringside as Donald Trump navigated his way through four years in the Oval Office. Zoe Daniel is a three-time foreign correspondent and former ABC News United States Bureau Chief. She was based in Washington DC from late 2015 until the end of 2019. Zoe was ABC's Southeast Asia correspondent from 2009 to 2013. Zoe has written two other books including her 2014 memoir, Storyteller.Advance Connect | Digital Roundtable with Zoe Daniel
Zoe Daniel has returned from Washington where she was the bureau chief for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. She was one of the few journalists who saw the rise of Donald Trump coming, and that came from her dedication to reporting beyond the big cities, speaking to real people in smaller communities. Zoe has returned to Australia with her family after a four year stint as Washington Bureau Chief for ABC News. While in the United States, she travelled from Alaska to Washington and to 44 states. Zoe was the ABC's South East Asia correspondent from 2009 to 2013 and provided on-the-ground coverage of stories ranging from major political events to natural disasters including the Bangkok protests, the reform process in Myanmar and the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.Between 2005 and 2006, Zoe was the ABC's Africa correspondent. Prior to that in 2004, Zoe covered the Olympic Games in Athens. She has reported on conflict, famine, natural disasters, repression and poverty across the world in countries as diverse as Sudan, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Burma, Vietnam and Thailand. Zoe began her career in journalism as a radio producer in South Australia. She then reported on rural issues in New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria before becoming a business reporter and then a general reporter working on flagship ABC programs such as 7.30 and Lateline. Zoe is the author of Storyteller, which provides a personal insight into her life as a foreign correspondent while juggling a family.
