Interview with Peter Khalil – Federal MP for Wills and Assistant Defence Minister

From post-war Iraq to the Australian Parliament, Peter Khalil’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to public service, national security, and social justice.

In this episode of Bridged By Words, I sit down with Peter Khalil, federal Member for Wills and Assistant Minister for Defence. We explore his journey from a childhood in public housing as the son of Egyptian migrants to a life in public service shaped by values of opportunity, belonging, and national contribution.

Peter reflects on housing affordability, education, refugee policy reform, and his time rebuilding government institutions in post-war Iraq. We also discuss Australia's democratic principles, his ministerial responsibilities, and the nation’s place in an increasingly unstable global landscape.

Tune in for a candid, thoughtful conversation about leadership, lived experience, and using power to make a real difference in people’s lives.