Pathways to Politics Knowledge Hub

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Leadership   Political participation  

Driving gender equality in Australian politics: A multi-partisan panel discussion

Five white women, smartly dressed, seated in a row on low stage
25th of November 2025

This multi-partisan panel discussion, facilitated by journalist Tracey Spicer AM, explores the transformative impact of women’s leadership and the importance of diverse female representation in public life. It features Senator Steph Hodgins-May, Senator for Victoria, Shadow Minister for Communications and Women Melissa McIntosh MP, Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities, Hon Clare O’Neil MP, and Deputy Chair of Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Dr Helen Haines MP.

The panel took place at Parliament House in Canberra at a special anniversary celebration for Pathways to Politics for Women. Hosted by founding partners the Trawalla Foundation, Women’s Leadership Institute Australia and the University of Melbourne, the event brought together leaders from across the political spectrum to celebrate our national impact and enduring commitment to boosting diverse women’s representation in Australian politics.

The below video recording also features addresses from our Founder Carol Schwartz AO and University of Melbourne Interim Provost Professor Jane Gunn AO.

Photo L-R: Senator Steph Hodgins-May, Senator for Victoria, Shadow Minister for Communications and Women Melissa McIntosh MP, Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities, Hon Clare O’Neil MP, program founder Carol Schwartz AO, University of Melbourne Interim Provost Professor Jane Gunn AO and Deputy Chair of Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Dr Helen Haines MP at Parliament House in Canberra celebrating 10 years of Pathways to Politics.

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people as traditional custodians of the lands on which this event took place.

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Founding Partners
Women's Leadership Institute Australia
Trawalla Foundation
University of Melbourne

University Partners
University of Melbourne
QUT
UNSW
Charles Darwin University

University of Canberra
The University of Adelaide
University of Tasmania
The University of Western Australia