Photo: 2024 UTAS cohort with special guests Senator Jacqui Lambie, Hon Michelle O’Byrne MP, Hon Bridget Archer MP and Christine Milne AO.
We were thrilled to kick off the inaugural Tasmanian Pathways to Politics for Women program last weekend, welcoming an exceptional and diverse cohort of women from right across the state and across the political spectrum.
The Tasmanian program draws extensively from our national program curriculum, with a uniquely Tasmanian flavour.
Over the coming weeks, the 2024 cohort will participate in masterclasses designed to build their readiness for office, as well as two intensive residential sessions. The program concludes with participants delivering stump speeches at Parliament House, Hobart.
The first residential took place last weekend at the UTAS Inveresk Campus in Launceston.
Following an introduction to the program by Program Director Katy Cooper, UTAS Program Sponsor Kate Huntington, and Pathways to Politics national Co-Convenors Dr Meredith Martin (University of Melbourne) and Sarah Buckley (Trawalla Foundation), participants head first-hand insights from Danielle Kidd, a Burnie native and 2017 Pathways to Politics alum who ran as the Labor candidate for Braddon in this year’s Tasmanian state election.
“My advice to women aspiring to politics is, if you can apply for the Pathways to Politics program, absolutely do it. You get to learn from amazing guest speakers and you get practical advice and training. You also connect with a group of women who will become your advisors, confidantes and friends.”
– Danielle Kidd
Participants engaged in networking sessions with former Premiers of Tasmania the Hon. Lara Giddings AO and the Hon. Will Hodgman, former Leader of the Australian Greens and Senator for Tasmania Christine Milne AO, and Danielle Kidd. Additionally, they heard from Teeny Brumby (Mayor, Burnie Council) and the Hon. Janie Finlay MP (Member for Bass) about their political motivations and pathways to office, followed by a media training workshop with Tracey Spicer AM.
The cohort were also given a deep dive into the data and place-based challenges of Tasmania with Dr Robert Hortle from Tasmanian Policy Exchange.
The weekend was rounded out with a provocative and thoughtful panel with Senator Jacqui Lambie, Hon Michelle O’Byrne MP, Hon Bridget Archer MP and Christine Milne AO.
We are excited to see the progress of our inaugural Tasmanian 2024 cohort and wish them all the best as they continue through the program.
“It can be a long and lonely road that’s difficult to navigate without networks, mentors and the tools to help realise your ambition. It can even be harder for women who have traditionally not had access to the same wealth as men to fund campaigns. Pathways to politics helps to break down those barriers and give you the knowledge and the confidence to put yourself forward for leadership positions.”
– Hon. Lara Giddings AO
“I was committed as a male political leader to find more ways to encourage and support women into political leadership, and this program is an exciting new way to do that.”
– Hon. Will Hodgman
