The Pathways to Politics Program for Women extends a huge congratulations to Mary Doyle, the new Labor MP for Aston and an alum of the University of Melbourne’s 2021 Pathways program.
Mary is the third Pathways alum to be elected to Federal Parliament, following Katie Allen MP (Liberal Member for Higgins) in 2019 and Sally Sitou MP (Labor Member for Reid) in 2022.
Mary’s win in the outer-eastern Melbourne electorate of Aston in Saturday’s by-election marks the first time that the government has won a seat from the Opposition in a by-election in more than a century.
Mary will also be the first woman to hold the seat of Aston since its creation in 1984.
Mary, who grew up in public housing and is a breast cancer survivor, has worked for many years as a staff member and organiser for several trade unions. She was also a single mum for over ten years.
While the vote count is ongoing, the ABC currently projects a swing towards Labor of approximately 6 per cent.
Fellow Pathways to Politics alum Juliana Addison MP, Member for Wendouree in the Victorian Parliament, posted:
“Congratulations on running an outstanding campaign, making history and being such a strong, authentic candidate! I am so pleased to see another Pathways to Politics participant achieving success and changing the face of politics!”
Pathways to Politics has demonstrated real impact in addressing the underrepresentation of women in Australian politics since the program launched in 2016. Mary’s win in Aston brings the program’s total electoral successes to 29 nationally – at all levels of government and from all sides of politics.
We extend our congratulations to all the incredible alums who have put themselves forward to run for office, including the five alums who ran in the recent New South Wales state election, and the 19 alums who ran in last year’s Victorian state election, six of whom were elected: Juliana Addison MP (Labor Member for Wendouree, second term), Gaelle Broad MP (Nationals Member for Northern Victoria), Dr Sarah Mansfield MP (Greens Member for Western Victoria), Georgie Purcell MP (Animal Justice Party Member for Northern Victoria), Kat Theophanous MP (Labor Member for Northcote, second term), and Bridget Vallence MP (Liberal Member for Evelyn, second term).
It takes tremendous courage and hard work to step into the political arena, and we are proud of all our alums who have made a commitment to running for election, to serving their communities and making a positive difference.
We hope their incredible efforts will inspire many more women from across the political spectrum to follow in their footsteps.
DEADLINE EXTENSION! Applications for our 2023 program are open until 11:59pm on 8 May 2023.
For media enquiries contact: Rachel Brown 0404 416 378
