Photo: 2026 Northern Territory cohort
From Brisbane to Perth, Canberra to Alice Springs, the final four Pathways to Politics for Women programs of 2026 have been taking shape across the country.
One cohort has already crossed the finish line, while others are still in the midst of practical workshops and political skill-building, making new connections and having big conversations about public life. It’s been a busy few weeks for our Queensland, Western Australian, ACT and Northern Territory cohorts.
Here’s a look at what they’ve been up to.
Western Australia
The 2026 Western Australian program, hosted by The University of Western Australia through the UWA Public Policy Institute, has now wrapped up following an intensive week practical skill building and learning from a diverse range of politicians and experts.
Participants explored everything from political vision and values, to making the decision to run, local government, political parties and preselection, putting their learning into practice through a mock preselection and concluding by delivering 3 minute stump speeches in the Parliament of Western Australia.
Congratulations to our 2026 WA graduates on completing the program!
A huge thank you to our program guests, including: Ayor Makur Chuot MLC, Emma Craven, Andrea Creado, Mia Davies, Liza Harvey OAM, Rishelle Hume AM, Georgina Ker, Carmen Lawrence AO, Catherine Lezer, Carol Martin OAM, Sophie McNeill MLC, Brooke O’Donnell, Fatima Payman, Ivonne Rodriguez and Kirrilee Warr MLA.
Queensland
Our Queensland program at QUT welcomed 25 women from across the state, including 15 participants from regional and rural communities.
Across the first weekend, the cohort explored their political journeys, executive coaching, building a political base, preselection, campaigning and fundraising.
A huge thank you to our QUT program guests so far, including: Antoinette Aquilina, Catherine Allen, Rachel Collis, Kitty Carra, Seal Chong Wah, Mary Crawford, Margaret De Wit, Julia Dixon, Kerri-Anne Dooley MP, Olivia Evans, Ali France MP, Maggie Forrest, Teresa Gambaro, Senator Nita Green, Vicki Howard, Nicole Johnston, Anna Jones, Madonna Jarrett MP, Kate Pearce, Kate Samios, Michaela Sargent, Sonya Semmens, Charlotte Salt, Melina Morgan, Corinne Mulholland, Fiona McNamara, Leigh McCready, Madonna King and Kelly Vea Vea.
ACT
The fourth ACT Pathways to Politics program is underway at the University of Canberra, bringing together women from across the ACT and surrounding region who are taking an important step towards their political ambitions.
The program began with a welcome dinner and two days of practical learning, connection and skills development. Participants have explored communication styles, begun developing their political ‘why’ and worked on speechwriting, while hearing directly from political leaders and program alums about their own experiences entering public life.
A huge thank you to our program guests so far, including: Jane Alver, Trish Bergin, Sarah Buckley, Chris Wallace, Raechel Johns, Elizabeth Lee MLA, Marikit Manalang, Clare Miles, Alicia Payne MP, Marisa Paterson MLA, Vanessa Picker, Swan Ricco, Leanne Foresti and Rebecca Vassarotti MLA.
Northern Territory
Northern Territory
Our Northern Territory cohort came together in Alice Springs for the first two days of their program, delivered in partnership with Charles Darwin University.
Participants from across the Territory explored finding their political ‘why’, speechwriting, preselection, political and intercultural communication and policymaking — with plenty of opportunities for connection along the way, including a special welcome dinner and even an evening hike.
The cohort will reunite in Darwin next month for the final part of the program, culminating in the concluding Speeches in Parliament module.
Thank you to our program guests so far, including: Salli Cohen, Peta-Lee Cole-Manolis, Lauren Moss, Stacey Ong, Jodie Summers and Nicole T.
With our final programs now underway – and our Western Australian cohort celebrating their graduation – it’s been wonderful to see another diverse group of women from across Australia building the skills, knowledge and networks to pursue their political ambitions.
