The Ministry was launched two years to the day David Pledger was elected Minister for Empathy by 42 Australian citizens in Canberra, 10 days before the 2016 Federal Election. 

On June 22, 2018, an inter-governmental Ministry, the Federal Ministry for Empathy, was established to introduce notions of empathy, compassion and kindness into Australia’s mainstream political culture. The Federal Ministry for Empathy is a central agency and advocacy instrument providing coordinated strategy and leadership for the emotional intelligence, mental health and well-being of Australia’s political culture.

Following on from the 2019 Frontbench Interview Series and a single campaign performance, the Minister spent 40 days and 40 nights contemplating a new era of leadership without empathy.

In 2020, the Ministry’s focus expanded to include all Australian citizens, particularly those directly affected by the absence of empathy in Australia’s political culture.