Opportunities for women in politics: Insights from Carmen Lawrence AO, Senator Linda Reynolds & Kate Chaney MP

Launch of Pathways to Politics for Women UWA

16 February 2024

Keynote speakers Carmen Lawrence AO, Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC, Kate Chaney MP and Carol Schwartz AO offer profound insights and perspectives on the myriad challenges and opportunities for women politics at the launch of Pathways to Politics for Women at The University of Western Australia.

“It’s more than time for women’s ideas and voices, in all their variety and complexity, to help forge better policies … we need to ensure that women politicians are free, and feel free, to draw on their own experiences and unique insights in crafting their contributions to better serving the people of Australia.”
– Carmen Lawrence AO

Watch the recording

“Politics is great. It is messy and imperfect and frustrating and rewarding and challenging and weird and wonderful and fun. I have no regrets – it’s been a fantastic journey for me so far.”
– Kate Chaney MP

“Women make amazing politicians. You have to be comfortable in your own skin, determined, and as I’ve found out in the last few years, incredibly resilient…Smart, confident and capable women can resonate and can make a difference.”
– Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds

Speakers

Emeritus Professor Carmen Lawrence AO, former Premier of Western Australia and Australia’s first female premier
Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC, Liberal Senator for Western Australia
Kate Chaney MP, Independent Federal Member for Curtin in the House of Representatives
Carol Schwartz AO, founder of Pathways to Politics, and Chair of the Trawalla Foundation and Women’s Leadership Institute Australia
Master of Ceremonies: Professor Anna Nowak, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at The University of Western Australia

The inaugural Western Australian Pathways to Politics for Women program was formally launched on 16 February 2024 at The University of Western Australia, where the program is co-hosted by the Centre For Public Value UWA and the UWA Public Policy Institute.

With the addition of UWA and the University of Tasmania to our partner network, Pathways to Politics is now a truly national program, providing diverse women from all corners of Australia the opportunity to engage in political leadership and contribute to the future of the nation.

Visit the UWA Pathways to Politics page