Meet the leaders: Zali Steggall MP

Zali Steggall is the independent MP for Warringah, on Sydney’s northern beaches. She’s also a former Winter Olympian. In this profile she talks about the secret to running an ultra-marathon – a 100km race. 

What are you reading and/or listening to at the moment?
I listen to a lot of different podcasts to keep up with current affairs. I also like the Outrage and Optimism Podcast and listen to Mamamia’s podcast[s] when out running.

Did you make a new year’s resolution and if so, what is it?
[Professionally,] pushing the government of the day to go harder on climate action and personally, maintaining my fitness and staying as injury free as possible so that I can continue to compete in ultramarathon trail running events.

What is the one thing you spend money on that could be considered an indulgence?
Probably trail running gear. My justification is that when running an ultra-marathon 100km race – good gear can make the difference between finishing or not.

Following on from that, what brand is your current obsession?
So many pairs of running shoes – road and trail! My current favourites are Saucony.

Who do you most admire and why?
I always love trailblazers – keeping to the theme of trail running, [American runner] Courtney Dauwalter is an absolute legend.

What motivated you to run for public office?
I was frustrated with the lack of real action on climate change and integrity in politics. 

Was there ever a time when you felt stuck in your career and if so how did you work through it?
… I’ve had to either step up and do the work or recognise that what got me here won’t necessarily take me to the next level. That’s led to several pivots — from sport to media, then to law, and now politics.

What if anything would you like to see change for women in the workplace?
Women deserve full economic participation and equality in the workplace, but too often, systemic barriers hold them back. We need stronger protections against workplace harassment, genuine pay transparency to close the gender pay gap, and policies that support women’s career progression — including parental leave that encourages men to also take on more caregiving responsibilities.

What would you like your political legacy to be? From a policy perspective shifting the dial on climate action and political integrity are key. But beyond that, I hope that by stepping up and challenging the major parties, I’ve encouraged more people — especially young women and those who may not have traditionally engaged in politics — to get involved and create the change they want to see.