Pathways to Politics Program for Women
Changing the face of politics
In Australia, women are still significantly underrepresented across all levels of politics, in business and other positions of influence.
Our vision
Pathways to Politics Program for Women is changing the face of politics. It seeks to increase female participation in politics by equipping women with the skills and knowledge to succeed in running for elected office, and to thrive as political leaders.
Now in its fifth year, and open to all female graduates of Victorian universities from 2020, the Program is a non-partisan initiative borne out of a partnership between the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia, Trawalla Foundation and Melbourne School of Government at the University of Melbourne. It is modelled on the Kennedy School's From Harvard Square to the Oval Office program at Harvard University.
In 2020 the Program is free for the 30 successful applicants, who will be selected on a competitive basis. To contact the Pathways team about a query not answered in the FAQs, please email pathways-to-politics@unimelb.edu.au.
For more than 20 years I've been passionate about improving the quality of leadership and decision making in Australia. Sadly, Australia continues to suffer from a chronic underrepresentation of women in leadership positions and currently ranks as 51st in the world when it comes to the representation of women in government. Carol Schwartz AO, Chair, Trawalla Foundation
It has been wonderful to see the program's practical outcomes, and the positive impact it’s had on the conversation around representation of women in parliament. Professor Duncan Maskell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Melbourne
2020 program outline
This executive program places an emphasis on skills training, good governance, leadership and fostering strong bonds between participants. It features guest presenters from across the political spectrum including politicians from all levels of government (both sitting and retired), public speaking professionals, campaign strategists, advisors, public policy experts, and leading figures in Australian political and public life.
The structure of each session varies, including panel discussions, workshops, seminars, Q&A discussions, practical work and networking opportunities. Participants are expected to attend a minimum of eight out of the ten sessions, which will be held both in North Melbourne and on campus at the University of Melbourne.
Program outcomes
In just four years, the program has created meaningful pathways to electoral success:
- One program alumna has been elected to federal government (The Hon Katie Allen MP)
- Three program alumni have been elected to state government (The Hon Bridget Vallence MP, The Hon Kat Theophanous MP, The Hon Juliana Addison MP)
- Three program alumni have been elected to local government (including Cr Stephanie Amir, Cr Sarah Mansfield, Cr Susanne Newton)
The program continues to receive extremely positive feedback. Of the 2019 cohort:
- 95% agreed or strongly agreed that they had the skills needed for political success at the end of the program, compared to 14% at commencement
- 100% indicated a high or very high understanding of the election process by the end of the program, compared to 14% at commencement
- 91% indicated that they anticipate running for office within the next 10 years
2019 participant testimonials
- “Life changing. Thank you for giving me the confidence to do this and run”
- “What a SENSATIONAL program - a gift, an honour to participate, flawless execution, intellectually stimulating, wonderfully organised, inspiring and life changing!”
- “This program really has changed my life. I started off feeling so unworthy but now I feel confident, capable, valued and supported. This is a truly marvellous program. Thank you so much for making it happen”
It made such a difference to have incredible women from across the political spectrum encouraging and supporting me all the way with skills, development and knowledge. This program is crucial – more women in parliament better reflects our community’s values and experiences - Juliana Addison, 2017 alum and Member for Wendouree
The Program places an emphasis on skills training, good governance, leadership and fostering strong bonds between participants. It features guest presenters from across the political spectrum including politicians from all levels of government (both sitting and retired), public speaking professionals, campaign strategists, advisors, public policy experts, and leading figures in Australian political and public life.
The Program has a practical, experiential format, supporting active participation through workshops, case studies, panel discussions, Q&As and networking opportunities.
The Program curriculum is overseen by Academic Coordinator Jayani Nadarajalingam, Lecturer, Political Programs, Melbourne School of Government and is comprised of 10 modules across themes including:
- Introduction to politics and the different levels of government
- Articulating your political vision
- Making the decision to run
- Pre-selection
- Fundraising
- Campaign fundamentals and on the campaign trail
- Media training
- Resilience
- Political leadership
- Policy making
- From political vision to stump speech
- Ethical dilemmas in politics
We are extremely grateful for the support of the many incredible guest speakers who have devoted their time and experience to the Program, including:
- Juliana Addison MP, Member for Wendouree (Pathways to Politics alumna)
- Dr Katie Allen MP, Member for Higgins (Pathways to Politics alumna)
- The Hon John Brumby AO
- The Hon Quentin Bryce AD CVO
- Annabel Crabb, journalist
- Peta Credlin, SKY News anchor and former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Tony Abbott
- Joel Deane, speechwriter and journalist
- Dr Angelia Grant, Office of the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Treasurer, Federal Member for Kooyong
- Dr Helen Haines MP, Member for Indi
- Senator Sarah Hanson Young, Senator for South Australia
- Jill Hennessey MP, Member for Altona
- Senator Jacqui Lambie, Senator for Tasmania
- Dr Simon Longstaff AO, Executive Director, The Ethics Centre
- Cr Vonda Malone, Mayor of the Torres Shire Council
- Michelle Moffat, Managing Director Moffat Corporate
- Cindy McLeish, Member for Eildon
- Cathy McGowan AO, former Member for Indi
- Ruth McGowan OAM, author of Get Elected, independent consultant ((Pathways to Politics alumna)
- Cr Susanne Newton, City of Darebin Councillor (Pathways to Politics alumna)
- The Hon Kelly O'Dwyer, former Member for Higgins
- Cr Cathy Oke, Councillor for the City of Melbourne
- Clare O'Neil MP, Member for Hotham
- Fiona Patten MP, Leader of Reason
- Hamish Park, Director Melbourne Leadership Group and Senior Fellow, Melbourne School of Government
- Lissie Ratcliff, Chief of Staff to the Premier of Victoria
- Samantha Ratnam, MLC for Northern Metropolitan and the leader of the Victorian Greens
- Deputy Lord Mayor Nick Reece, Director of Strategy, Policy and Projects, University of Melbourne and Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne
- The Hon Nicola Roxon, former Member for Gellibrand
- Senator Janet Rice, Senator for Victoria
- Steph Ryan MP, Member for Euroa, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
- Leigh Sales, journalist
- Ellen Sandell MP, Member for Melbourne
- Natasha Stott Despoja AO, founding Chairperson of Our Watch, Member World Bank Gender Advisory Council and UN High Level Working Group on the Health & Human Rights of Women, Children and Adolescents.
- Kat Theophanous MP, Member for Northcote (Pathways to Politics alumna)
- Senator Lidia Thorpe, Senator for Victoria
- Laura Tingle, journalist
- Bridget Vallence MP, Member for Evelyn (Pathways to Politics alumna)
- Danielle Wood, CEO Grattan Institute
- Senator Penny Wong, Senator for South Australia, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
-
With calls for more widespread gender equality in Australian parliaments, The Guardian looks to the individuals and institutions that are working to make meaningful change.
News -
The Age interviews Carol Schwartz AO about the philosophy behind the Pathways to Politics for Women program, the 2020 cohort and the future of female participation in Australian politics.
News -
Pathways to Politics alum Stephanie Milione has written the latest Julia Gillard Next Generation Intern report.
News -
Pathways to Politics Fellows among winning candidates in Victorian elections
Three Fellows from the Melbourne School of Government’s Pathways to Politics for Women Program elected in the 2018 Victorian election.
News -
Eight Fellows from the University of Melbourne’s Pathways to Politics Program for Women will contest seats in this month’s Victorian election
News -
The Roundtable: Women in politics, workplace bullying and beyond
Dr Avery Poole, Dr Sharman Stone, Natalie James and Alexandra Grayson discuss complaints about pervasive bullying at the top of federal politics
News -
Sexism, women and Australian politics
Dr Avery Poole on the sexist remark thrown at Senator Sarah Hanson-Young underscoring the urgent need for more women in Australian parliament
News -
ABC News coverage of the Pathways to Politics Program
Featured, are interviews with fellows, alumni, and footage of the session in parliament
News -
To Quota or not to Quota
With the captains of industry failing to appoint women to the top table - The Policy Shop asks - should gender quotas in the workforce be mandatory?
News -
Program aims to boost women in politics by teaching them how to get pre-selected
AM's Claire Slattery went along to the launch of The Pathways to Politics program to meet some hopeful future leaders.
News -
Carol Schwartz talks on ABC News Breakfast
Carol Schwartz AM joined ABC News Breakfast to discuss the second year of the Pathways to Politics Program for Women at the Melbourne School of Government
News -
Dr Andrea Carson discusses the poor representation of women in Australian politics on ABC Weekend Breakfast
Dr Andrea Carson discusses the poor representation of women in Australian politics and how the Pathways to Politics Program seeks to address this issue
News -
Liberal preselection for Evelyn: Bridget Vallence bags prized safe Liberal seat
Pathways to Politics alumna Bridget Vallence from the Liberal Party has been preselected for the safe seat of Evelyn for the 2018 state election.
News -
The new course getting more women into Australian politics
Australian politics has extremely low levels of female participation compared to other developed democracies, but one program is aiming to change this.
News -
Why the next editor-in-chief at The Age should be a woman
The departing words of The Age’s editor-in-chief, Mark Forbes, who resigned this week amid allegations of sexual harassment, spoke to a gender ideal at a time of reputational damage for the newspaper, "… our dealings with all women must be respectful and equitable at all times"
News -
A power imbalance
With Australia sliding steadily down the world ranks of female political representation, a new University program is preparing to light the path for aspiring women politicians. By Gay Alcorn
News -
Amy Mullins on Sky News
Sky News Host Ashleigh Gillon interviews Amy Mullins, Executive Director of the Women's Leadership Institute Australia and Angela Priestley, Editor of Women's Agenda
News -
The Harvard plan to get more women into power
"Ditch the Witch" marked a new low in Australian politics, but how much has changed for female political candidates in 2016? By Sonia Harford. May 21, 2016 in The Age newspaper
News -
Good leadership means equal representation for women
We know women are underrepresented in politics. Instead of wringing our hands, we must take positive steps to change that. By Professor Helen Sullivan. March 8, 2016 in The Age newspaper
News -
Australia needs to develop multiple ways to bring more women into the political pipeline and help them succeed. By Professor Carolyn Evans
News
The Pathways to Politics Program Advisory Committee meets on a regular basis to provide strategic oversight and ensure the high quality of the program.
Non-executive Director
Trawalla Foundation
Carol Schwartz AO
Carol Schwartz is a strong advocate for women in leadership, with a passion for the arts, entrepreneurial businesses and social enterprises. Carol Schwartz AO is the Founding Chair of the Women's Leadership Institute Australia, Founding Chair of Our Community and Chair of the Trawalla Foundation. Other Board roles include Non-Executive Director Reserve Bank of Australia, Non-Executive Director Qualitas Property Partners, Non-Executive Director Equity Trustees and Director Skalata Ventures. She is also a member of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Women’s Leadership Board and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership Advisory Board, Kings College.
Carol was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours for her distinguished service to the community as a supporter of women in leadership roles, to social justice advocacy and to business. She received the Centenary Medal in 2001 in recognition of her outstanding service as a leading business executive and committee participant.
Vice-President, Strategy and Culture
University of Melbourne
Dr Julie Wells
Julie is a member of University Executive and leads six broad Chancellery teams: Policy and Government Relations; University Governance; Strategy, Planning and Performance; Community and Cultural Partnerships; Marketing and Communications; and HR & OHS. Staff within Julie’s Strategy and Culture portfolio provide support to the program.
Julie works closely with the deans and other members of the University’s senior leadership team to develop and implement University strategy and associated initiatives.
Julie has extensive experience in the tertiary education sector as a senior administrator, lobbyist, adviser and policy expert. She has worked as a teacher and an academic, led policy, research and government relations in the National Office of the NTEU, and has enjoyed brief stints working in government as a policy analyst and ministerial adviser.
Director of Strategy, Enterprise and Projects
University of Melbourne
Dr Nicholas Reece
Nicholas Reece is Principal Fellow with the Melbourne School of Government, and Director of Strategy, Enterprise and Projects in Chancellery at the University of Melbourne. Nick has considerable experience in policy making and politics in government having worked for Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Victorian Premiers Steve Bracks and John Brumby. Key roles during this period include Deputy Chief of Staff, Head of Policy, and Director of Strategy. He has also served as Secretary and Campaign Director of the ALP in Victoria.
Nick currently serves as a Councillor for the City of Melbourne where he is the Chair of the Planning portfolio and Deputy Chair of Major Projects. Nick is a host and commentator on Sky News and is also a regular columnist with The Age, The Guardian and Herald Sun.
Nick is an original Mo Bro and director of the global men's health movement Movember which has raised over $1 billion for prostate cancer and men's suicide prevention. For over a decade Nick served as a director of the street newspaper The Big Issue, Australia's most successful social enterprise.
Member for Evelyn
Ms Bridget Vallence MP
Bridget Vallence was elected as a Member of the Victorian Parliament on 24 November 2018 to represent the Evelyn District, and upon being sworn in to Parliament was appointed Shadow Cabinet Secretary and Shadow Assistant Minister for Industry.
In March 2020 Ms Vallence was promoted to the role of Shadow Minister for Environment & Climate Change and Shadow Minister for Youth on the Victorian Liberal Nationals front bench, portfolios that Ms Vallence believes are critical to our community and future prosperity.
Prior to entering Parliament, Ms Vallence worked for 16 years in the automotive industry as a procurement executive in both the manufacturing and retail sectors in Australian, Asian and global markets, and is also experienced with organisational change and business transformation projects.
Ms Vallence holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Melbourne. In 2016, Ms Vallence was an inaugural fellow of the Melbourne School of Government Pathway to Politics Program for Women.
Board Member
Women's Leadership Institute Australia
Ms Ruby Schwartz
Ruby Schwartz is an audio producer, researcher and storyteller. She is currently a producer at 7am, a daily news podcast that tells the news through in-depth interviews and sharp analysis. Recently, she has reported on the bushfires, and the social and economic impacts of COVID-19. Before 7am, Ruby worked at Pineapple Street Media in New York, producing podcasts including Lena Dunham's The C-Word. Prior to that, she was a research assistant for the vice-chancellor at the University of Melbourne, where she also produced podcasts including The Policy Shop and The Masterclass. Ruby is a graduate of the Transom Story Workshop.
Executive Officer
Trawalla Foundation
Ms Sarah Buckley
Sarah has over fifteen years’ leadership experience in sustainability, responsible business and philanthropy. Sarah is currently Executive Officer of the Trawalla Foundation, the private foundation for entrepreneurial businesspeople Carol and Alan Schwartz. Sarah has played an integral role in the evolution of Pathways to Politics for Women, and is particularly focused on the alumni community and growth of Pathways to other Australian states.
The Trawalla Foundation works with exceptional individuals and organisations that have a vision for the future of Australia, and gender equity sits at the heart of this. The Foundation adopts a range of levers including funding partnerships, impact investments, and incubating innovative equity initiatives through the Foundation’s not-for-profit arm, the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia. Alongside the Trawalla Foundation, Sarah runs a consulting business enabling major organisations to strengthen their responsible business approaches.
Program Director
University of Melbourne
Dr Meredith Martin
Dr Meredith Martin is the Program Director for the Pathways to Politics Program for Women and worked closely with Carol Schwartz to establish the Program at the University of Melbourne in 2015. She is Chair of the Program’s Selection Committee and Co-chair of the Program Working Group, overseeing the Program’s management and providing strategic advice on its development on behalf of Chancellery at the University.
Meredith has held a number of academic and professional roles at the university and led a range of strategic partnerships and initiatives, including the establishment of the highly successful Media and Communications Program. She has presented and published widely on equity and access in the creative industries, and is a member of a number of boards, including the Public Galleries Association of Victoria.
Deputy Director
Melbourne School of Government
Associate Professor Tom Daly
Tom is Deputy Director of the University of Melbourne School of Government, Director of the global online research platform Democratic Decay & Renewal (DEM-DEC: www.democratic-decay.org), Co-Convenor of the Constitution Transformation Network (Melbourne), and Associate Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Constitutional Law.
As well as extensive experience in the university sector (at Melbourne, Edinburgh and Copenhagen universities), Tom has worked in a variety of roles in government and international organisations, including running the Office of the Chief Justice of Ireland for over 6 years and working on judicial education at the Judicial Studies Institute.
Tom’s research focuses on democratic governance, with a strong cross-disciplinary approach drawing mainly on public law and political science scholarship, and analysing connections between law and policy at the domestic, transnational, and international levels.
How to apply
Applications for Pathways to Politics Program for Women have now closed. If you would like to be notified when our 2021 applications open, please enter your details below to join our mailing list.
The application is comprised of five sections:
- Equal opportunities questions: This information helps Applied globally to understand how the review process affects different demographic groups. You can read more about how this information is used here
- Attach your CV: Please ensure your CV is no longer than three pages and includes three referees
- Eligibility questions: these short questions help our committee to determine your eligibility for the program
- Sift questions: these five questions will help us understand more about your professional skills including leadership, strategy and your commitment to run. These questions have a 250-word limit
- Record a video and upload it to our Dropbox account: this video provides an opportunity for you to pitch what you will bring to the program and what impact you can make in the political realm
Eligibility guidelines
The program will accept up to 30 participants. Applicants must:
- Be an Australian citizen/Australian permanent resident/holder of a permanent Humanitarian Visa, and identify as a woman.
- Hold an undergraduate and/or an honours, masters or doctoral degree* from a Victorian university;
or
- Hold an undergraduate and/or an honours, masters or doctoral degree* from a university outside Victoria and have resided in Victoria for the last five years
or
- Be currently enrolled in a masters or doctoral degree* at a Victorian university
*Eligibility waivers may be considered in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Selection Committee Chair, on the basis of a combination of qualifications and experience deemed to be equivalent to a degree.
Participants will be selected on a competitive basis.
Equity
The Pathways to Politics Program for Women is committed to minimising barriers to enter politics . As such, applicants identified by the selection committee as coming from an “equity” cohort will be prioritised.
To be eligible to apply for a position in this equity category applicants must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or the holder of a permanent Humanitarian Visa. Applicants must be able to demonstrate capacity to succeed in the program, through satisfying the application selection criteria. Applicants must also qualify for one or more of the following criteria:
- Identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- Previous status as a refugee or current holder of a humanitarian visa
- Disadvantaged socio-economic circumstances
- Disability or chronic medical condition
- Difficult personal circumstances; or
- Coming from a rural or isolated area.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the Pathways to Politics Program for Women?
The Pathways to Politics Program for Women is a non-partisan initiative born out of a partnership between the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia, Trawalla Foundation and Melbourne School of Government at the University of Melbourne.
It provides a select group of female graduates from all Victorian universities with the opportunity to gain the skills and networks to reach elected office at local, state and national levels.
Modelled on the Harvard Kennedy School program, 'From Harvard Square to the Oval Office', it aims to redress the lack of representation of women in Australian politics.
The program is led by presenters from across the political spectrum including politicians (both sitting and retired), public speaking professionals, media and campaign strategists, advisors, consultants and public policy experts as well as leading figures in Australian political and public life.
The structure of each session varies, including panel discussions, workshops, seminars, Q&A discussions, practical work and networking opportunities.
-
Am I eligible to apply for this Program?
There are specific eligibility requirements for this program. Applicants must:
- Be an Australian citizen/Australian permanent resident/holder of a permanent Humanitarian Visa, and identify as a woman.
- Hold an undergraduate and/or an honours, masters or doctoral degree* from a Victorian university;
or
- Hold an undergraduate and/or an honours, masters or doctoral degree* from a university outside Victoria and have resided in Victoria for the last five years;
or
- Be currently enrolled in a masters or doctoral degree* at a Victorian university
*Eligibility waivers may be considered in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Selection Committee Chair, on the basis of a combination of qualifications and experience deemed to be equivalent to a degree.
-
How many participants will there be?
In 2020, the program will accept up to 30 participants.
-
How are participants selected?
Participants will be selected on a competitive basis. The selection criteria are as follows:
- Commitment to seeking elected office
- Leadership experience
- Professional and life experience
- Political engagement
- Ability to tell your story in a compelling way.
All applications will be reviewed by panels made up of representatives from the University of Melbourne, Trawalla Foundation and Program alumni. The program emphasises multi-partisanship and seeks a cohort of women with diverse life and professional experiences.
Candidates will be judged on their written application and video pitch. The selection panel will also take diversity and equity into consideration.
-
When will I know if my application was successful?
Due to Covid19 contingency planning, there has been a short delay in notifying applicants of their outcome. All applicants will be notified by 22 May 2020.
-
How long does the Program run for? How many sessions will there be?
The 2020 Program is outlined here. There are ten sessions in the Program with breaks to account for school holidays.
-
Do I have to attend every session of the Program?
Selected participants are expected to attend at least eight out of the ten sessions. Participants who are not able to commit to at least eight sessions may be asked to withdraw from the program.
-
How much does the Program cost?
The program is FREE for the selected participants. The Program is generously funded by the Trawalla Foundation and the University of Melbourne. Participants must attend the Program in person. Any flights, ground transfers, accommodation, and other fees associated with attending the program are not included . Meals will be provided during each session (dietaries catered for on request).
-
What is involved with the application ?
We have partnered with Applied Recruitment, a platform dedicated to diverse and inclusive recruitment this year. The Pathways to Politics application is comprised of five sections:
- Equal opportunities questions: This information helps Applied globally to understand how the review process affects different demographic groups. You can read more about how this information is used here
- Attach your CV: Please ensure your CV is no longer than three pages and includes three referees
- Eligibility questions: these short questions help our committee to determine your eligibility for the program
- Sift questions: these five questions will help us understand more about your professional skills including leadership, strategy and your commitment to run. These questions have a 250-word limit
- Record a video and upload it to our Dropbox account: this video provides an opportunity for you to pitch what you will bring to the Program and what impact you can make in the political realm