Changing the face of politics in 2025 - Pathways to Politics in Tasmania

Picture: Speaker of the House of Assembly Michelle O’Byrne, Minister for Women the Honourable Jo Palmer, alum Ebony Altimira and Member for Clark Helen Burnet

Pathways to Politics for Women at the University of Tasmania

Elected representatives from across the political spectrum have come together at the Parliament of Tasmania to support Australia’s most successful program for helping women into politics, offered through the University of Tasmania.

House of Assembly Speaker Michelle O’Byrne, Minister for Women the Honourable Jo Palmer and Member for Clark Helen Burnet have helped launch the non-partisan Pathways to Politics for Women Tasmanian program for 2025.

The national program, which ran for the first time in Tasmania last year, has helped 84 women get elected to parliaments and councils across Australia. Last year, 120 alums ran in elections with a 41 per cent success rate.

“Despite reaching 50 per cent representation for women in our parliament, we know that there are many who do not ‘put their hand up’,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“The Pathways to Politics program can provide a meaningful preparation to support women considering a political pathway and will lead to more diverse parliaments where women’s voices are amplified.”

2024 Tasmanian alum Ebony Altimira said the program had provided her with the skills and support to take the next step in her journey.

“To be able to hear from experts, guest speakers and to connect with people already in the political environment and gain an understanding of the different aspects of the political scene has been invaluable and inspired me,” Ms Altimira said.