Leaders Helping to Change Face of Politics

Media release – University of Tasmania, 22 February 2024

Leaders helping to change the face of politics

Leaders from across the political spectrum have thrown their support behind an award-winning national program to get more women into politics, to be offered this year through the University of Tasmania.

Past premiers Lara Giddings AO and Will Hodgman, and former Greens leader Christine Milne AO, are backing the non-partisan program, Pathways to Politics for Women, which has already helped 34 women get elected to parliaments and councils around Australia.

The University will support Tasmanian women aspiring to represent their communities in partnership with the Trawalla Foundation, which fully funds the program for participants.

The vision of business leader and philanthropist Carol Schwartz AO, Pathways to Politics for Women will be offered in every state and territory for the first time with the University’s participation.

“It has never been more important for us to encourage women, from all kinds of backgrounds, to bring their perspectives to our councils and parliaments,” Tasmanian Chair Professor Kate Darian-Smith said. “Pathways to Politics for Women will help remove the barriers faced by Tasmanian women and make our democracy more representative of the community.”

Ms Giddings, Tasmania’s first female premier and the youngest woman to be elected to an Australian parliament, said the country’s democratic institutions should better reflect our community.

“Politics can be a long and lonely road that’s difficult to navigate without networks, mentors and the tools to help realise your ambition,” Ms Giddings said. “It can even be harder for women who have traditionally not had access to the same wealth as men to fund campaigns.”

Former Senator Milne, the first woman to lead a Tasmanian political party, said change was urgently needed in parliaments around the country.

“To break open established networks of power and influence, inside and outside the party system, and to serve the needs of a diverse community, we need more women of diverse backgrounds and life experience elected,” Ms Milne said.

Mr Hodgman, now an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tasmania, said the political system would work better with more women in key roles.

“Gender equality in decision-making contributes to better governance, and government, and leads to improved trust and confidence in our public institutions,” he said. “And we can always do with more of that.”

Pathways to Politics for Women commenced in 2016 as an initiative of the Trawalla Foundation, Women’s Leadership Institute Australia and the University of Melbourne.

Ms Schwartz said the support of Tasmania’s influential recent leaders would boost the program as it became truly national.

“I am deeply grateful to Tasmania’s leaders – across the political spectrum – who are embracing Pathways to Politics for Women,” she said. “We are thrilled to see this vital program become truly national in 2024. Together we are changing the face of politics in Australia by equipping diverse women to boldly embrace their political ambitions, thrive as leaders and make a profound contribution to society.”

North west community member Danielle Kidd, who ran for state parliament in 2018 and will again this year, completed the program in Victoria in 2017.

“My advice to women aspiring to politics is, if you can apply for the Pathways to Politics program, absolutely do it,” Ms Kidd said. “You get to learn from amazing guest speakers and you get practical advice and training. You also connect with a group of women who will become your advisors, confidantes and friends.”

Expressions of interest are now open, with more information available at: utas.edu.au/study/pathways-to-politics-for-women

Information is also available about the program’s electoral successes (under ‘Our Impact’), along with a Gender scorecard 2024: Women in Australian politics.

What they said

“I have long felt that we must grow the critical mass of women in politics to truly disrupt the way politics is done. Over time equal representation of women and men will impact the political culture, decision making, collaboration, and ultimately reflect community issues in a more fulsome way. I am incredibly excited by the tangible results being created by Pathways to Politics right across Australia, with 34 electoral successes across federal, state and local levels. This is just the beginning of what we hope to see in the coming years.” – Carol Schwartz AO, Founder Pathways to Politics for Women

“My advice to women aspiring to politics is, if you can apply for the Pathways to Politics program, absolutely do it. You get to learn from amazing guest speakers and you get practical advice and training. You also connect with a group of women who will become your advisors, confidantes and friends.” – Danielle Kidd, 2017 Pathways to Politics for Women Tasmanian alum

“Our democratic institutions should reflect our community to ensure we all have a voice within the decision-making arms of our society. Yet it can seem impossible for some people who have not grown up in political families, parties or activist groups to see themselves within the hallowed halls of power. It can be a long and lonely road that’s difficult to navigate without networks, mentors and the tools to help realise your ambition. It can even be harder for women who have traditionally not had access to the same wealth as men to fund campaigns. Pathways to politics helps to break down those barriers and give you the knowledge and the confidence to put yourself forward for leadership positions.” – Hon. Lara Giddings AO

“For our political system to perform better, and to properly reflect our community, we need more women in our parliaments and in key political roles. Gender equality in decision-making contributes to better governance, and government, and leads to improved trust and confidence in our public institutions. And we can always do with more of that. I was committed as a male political leader to find more ways to encourage and support women into political leadership, and this program is an exciting new way to do that.” – Hon. Will Hodgman

“If ever we needed an injection of commitment to change, and the energy to pursue it in parliaments around Australia, it is now. To break open established networks of power and influence, inside and outside the party system, and to serve the needs of a diverse community, we need more women of diverse backgrounds and life experience elected. Not only is that the fair thing to do, it is the thing that will drive change and bolster our democratic system of government.” – Former Senator Christine Milne

“We know it is more difficult for women to enter politics and, once there, the scrutiny can be greater. It has never been more important for us to encourage women, from all kinds of backgrounds, to bring their perspectives to our councils and parliaments. Pathways to Politics for Women will help remove the barriers faced by Tasmanian women and make our democracy more representative of the community.” – Professor Kate Darian-Smith, Executive Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Arts, Law and Education, University of Tasmania