I had the privilege of welcoming Ajmal Hameed Abdulrahimzai to my Springfield office, where he presented me with a copy of his doctoral thesis, War Impacts (2023). Ajmal’s story is one of extraordinary resilience and service. A former Deputy Minister in Afghanistan, he was forced to flee following the collapse of the Afghan Government in 2021. Despite this upheaval, he went on to complete a PhD in Economics at the University of Southern Queensland, publishing internationally recognised research. Today, Ajmal continues to contribute to our community as Founder and President of the Afghanistan–Australia Joint Chamber of Commerce and Investment. His journey is a powerful reminder of the value of education, opportunity and the significant contribution migrants and refugees make when given the chance to rebuild and serve.
