Lead image: Pathways to Politics Queensland cohort 2025
Our longest-running programs – Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales – are off to a strong start in 2025, with participants diving into their first sessions and learning from a diverse mix of political leaders, policy specialists, and media and speechwriting experts.
We’re deeply grateful to all our speakers and facilitators who have generously shared their time and invaluable insights – helping to guide the next generation of female political leaders to build their skills, confidence and networks to pursue political leadership.
Over the coming months, participants will continue this important groundwork, exploring preselection, campaigning, and political leadership. They will refine their stump speeches and put their learning into practice by delivering their own speech in Parliament at the program’s conclusion.
See a snapshot of the first few sessions below!
Victoria (University of Melbourne)
Pathways to Politics welcomed its milestone 10th cohort at the University of Melbourne last month.
Guest speakers have included alums Dr Sarah Mansfield MP, Georgie Purcell MP, Dr Katie Allen, Cr Elisha Lee, Anasina Gray-Barberio MP and Pamela Anderson, alongside Margaret Fitzherbert, Dr Samantha Ratnam, the Hon Jaala Pulford, Senator Jana Stewart, Jess Wilson MP, Alana Johnson AM and Dr Erin Watson.
Guiding the sessions were Dr Meredith Martin, National Co-Convenor and Director of the Victorian program, and facilitator Stacey Ong, who has played a key role role in our Victorian program delivery over the past three years.
Queensland (QUT)
Guest contributors to our Queensland program so far have included alums Zoe Andolfatto, Cr Pye Augustine, Cr Sophie Bougoure, Cr Natalia Muszkat and Cr Penny Wolff, alongside Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Bisma Asif MP, the Hon Angie Bell MP, the Hon Dr Mary Crawford AM, Margaret de Wit, Kerri-Anne Dooley MP, Kate Flanders, Cr Nicole Johnston, Linda Lavarch, Cr Trina Massey, the Hon Meaghan Scanlon MP, Sonya Semmens, Nerida Smith, and Ellie Smith.
Sessions were facilitated by Madonna King and Dr Mary Crawford, whose guidance and insight continue to enrich the Queensland experience.
New South Wales (UNSW)
The 2025 NSW cohort kicked off with three days of in-person seminars and workshops – with speakers including alum Sally Sitou MP, alongside Charlotte Mortlock, Mandy Nolan, Savanna Peake, Jaimee Rogers, Cr Indu Balachandran, Michelle Bishop, Leanne Bergan, Alexia Lancaster, Madeleine Treacy-Maclean and Kym Chapple
The NSW program was also pleased to welcome back long-term supporters of the program Joel Deane, Perin Davey, Lyndell Droga, Cr Sylvie Ellsmore, Mayor Tanya Taylor, the Hon Courtney Houssos, Dr Marjorie O’Neill MP, Nyree Slatter, Tracey Spicer AM, Liesl Tesch MP, and new supporters Sarah Mitchell and Wendy Machin.
The program has also hosted the first two of four online sessions, in advance of its final meeting and speech day on 19 September.
Register your interest
Join our expressions of interest mailing list to be notified when applications open for next year’s programs.
