Bisma Asif is making history as the first Muslim, Pakistani and Punjabi elected to Queensland parliament.
In her maiden speech, the Labor MP further cemented her place in state history by speaking the languages of her ancestors - Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
"I am proud to represent our modern multicultural state," Ms Asif said, as her teary-eyed family watched from the gallery.
"The promise of Australia ... is that no matter where you come from, no matter your circumstances, with hard work and opportunity you can build a better life."
Ms Asif migrated from Pakistan to western Sydney in 2004 with her parents and sister in search of a better life.
She and her sister did not speak English, struggling to keep up in school and feeling isolated, but Ms Asif recognised the number of other migrants facing the same battle.
"Knowing that I wasn't alone - that every kid around me, no matter where they came from, was facing their own struggle," the 28-year-old MP said.
Three years later, Ms Asif became an Australian citizen before her family moved to Queensland.
Ms Asif reflected on the difficulties in her adolescence when she and her sister were forced to move out of home at 19.
"I am often asked why I became politically active, and why Labor? This is why," she said.
"I was 19, studying full time, trying to navigate our welfare system to gain legal guardianship of my sister and working three jobs - in a call centre, a kebab shop and a pizza joint - to keep a roof over our heads."
This experience drove her into politics, campaigning with Labor and working with federal senators and ministers.
Elected to the safe Labor seat of Sandgate in Brisbane's north, she stands for investment in health care, education and multiculturalism.
Ms Asif vowed to her community to fight for a better, fairer, more equal future for all during her term in parliament.
"I know that my story is common: a lot of people out there are working hard and doing their best but doing it tough," she said.
"I'm here to do what I can, to make a difference, and to play a small part in making your lives a bit easier."
Ms Asif was among 24 MPs making their maiden speech on Thursday, including the youngest-ever member Ariana Doolan, and Russell Field, who lost his son, daughter-in-law and unborn grandchild in a crash involving a stolen car.
The Liberal National Party won the October 26 election, overturning Labor's nine-year reign.
