Pathways to Politics Program for Women (NSW)

The program will generally run from 6 to 9pm Thursday nights from June until mid-September 2021 (with a two week break for NSW school holidays), with 1-2 lunchtime sessions as needed. It will feature guest presenters from across the political spectrum including politicians from all levels of government (both sitting and retired), public speaking professionals, campaign strategists, advisors, public policy experts, senior academics, and leading figures in Australian political and public life.

The structure of each session will vary, and will include panel discussions, workshops, seminars, Q&A discussions, practical work and networking opportunities. Participants are expected to attend a minimum of 10 out of the 13 sessions, which in 2021 will be held via Zoom in order to ensure access to women from across NSW, and to prevent any potential disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Topics covered will include:

• Understanding the Australian political system
• Deciding to run, fundraising and pre-selection
• Building your base and campaigning
• Finding your voice and priorities
• Political leadership
• Running an office and understanding policy-making
• Speech writing
• Media training

The Program Advisory Committee meets on a regular basis to provide strategic oversight and ensure the high quality of the Program.

Professor Eileen Baldry AO
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, UNSW

Ms Sarah Buckley 
CEO of the Trawalla Foundation

Professor Rosalind Dixon
Program Director, and Director of the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, UNSW

Mr John Hewson AM
Honorary Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, and former leader of the Federal Opposition

The Hon Courtney Houssos MLC
Member of the NSW Legislative Council

Ms Ann Mossop
Director of the Centre for Ideas, UNSW

Professor Justine Nolan 
Director of the Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW

Ms Elisabeth Perham
Program Co-Director, UNSW

Professor Leisa Sargent
Co-Deputy Vice-Chancellor Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, UNSW

Ms Liesl Tesch AM MP
Member for Gosford

Scientia Professor Carla Treloar
Director of the Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW

The Hon Leslie Williams MP
Member for Port Macquarie and Deputy Speaker, NSW Legislative Assembly
 

What is the Pathways to Politics Program for Women?

The Pathways to Politics Program for Women is a non-partisan initiative. In NSW, it is being run for the first time in 2021 by UNSW with the support of the Trawalla Foundation and the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia. It will provide a select group of female-identifying residents of NSW with the opportunity to gain the skills and networks to reach elected office at local, state and national levels. Some participants may be at an advanced stage of deciding to run for office, others may just be beginning their political journey.  We welcome applications from aspiring female-identifying leaders at all these different stages, and aim to deliver a program that supports candidates at all these different stages.

Modelled on the Harvard Kennedy School program, 'From Harvard Square to the Oval Office', as adapted by the University of Melbourne and Queensland University of Technology to the Australian context, it aims to redress the lack of representation of women in Australian politics.

The program is led by presenters from across the political spectrum including public speaking professionals, campaign strategists, advisors, public policy experts, senior academics, and leading figures in Australian political and public life. The structure of each session varies, including panel discussions, workshops, seminars, Q&A discussions, practical work and networking opportunities.

Am I eligible to apply for this Program?

There are specific eligibility requirements for this program. Applicants must:

• Be an Australian citizen/Australian permanent resident/holder of a permanent Humanitarian visa;
• Be female-identifying or non-binary in gender identification; and
• Be resident in NSW.

*Eligibility waivers may be considered in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Selection Committee Chair.

If you are not eligible for this program because you are not resident in NSW, you may be eligible for our partner Pathways to Politics for Women Programs in Victoria or Queensland.

How many participants will there be?

In 2021, the program will accept up to 30 applicants.

How are participants selected?

Participants will be selected on a competitive basis. The selection criteria are as follows:

• Commitment to seeking elected office
• Leadership experience
• Professional and life experience
• Political engagement
• Ability to tell your story in a compelling way.

All applications will be reviewed by a panel made up of representatives from the University of New South Wales and the Trawalla Foundation. The program emphasises multi-partisanship and seeks a cohort of women with diverse life and professional experiences. Candidates will be judged on their written application. The selection panel will also take diversity and equity into consideration.

The Program is committed to minimising barriers to enter politics . As such, applicants identified by the selection committee as coming from an “equity” cohort will be prioritised. To be eligible to apply for a position in this equity category applicants must satisfy the application selection criteria, and also meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander;
• Previous status as a refugee or current holder of a humanitarian visa;
• Disadvantaged socio-economic circumstances;
• Disability or chronic medical condition;
• Difficult personal circumstances; or
• Coming from a rural or isolated area.

When will I know if my application is successful?

We aim to advise all applicants of the outcome of the application process in early May 2021.

How long does the Program run for? How many sessions will there be?

The program will generally run from 6 to 9pm on Thursday nights (with a 30 minute dinner break from 7.15 to 7.45pm), with 1-2 lunchtime sessions as needed. There are 13 sessions in the Program with breaks to account for NSW school holidays. The first session will be held on 3 June 2021, and the final session on 9 September 2021.

Do I have to attend every session of the Program?

Ideally, selected participants will attend all sessions. At a minimum, selected participants are expected to attend at least ten out of the 13 sessions. Participants who are not able to commit to at least ten sessions may be asked to withdraw from the program.

How much does the Program cost?

The program is FREE for the selected participants. The Program is generously funded by the Trawalla Foundation and the University of New South Wales. 

What is involved with the application?

There are five parts to applying to the Program in NSW:

1. Eligibility questions: these short questions help our committee to determine your eligibility for the program.
2. Equal opportunities questions: this question helps our committee to ensure equity considerations are taken into account in the application process. 
3. Party affiliation: this question helps our committee ensure political diversity within our cohort.
4. Sift questions: these five questions will help us understand more about your professional skills including leadership, strategy and your commitment to run. These questions have a 250 word limit. 
5. CV: Attach your CV: ensure your CV is no longer than three pages and includes three referees (please provide name, contact details and position description for each referee, but do not provide a reference from any of them).

Additionally, you must agree to be bound by the Code of Conduct for participants before you can be accepted onto the Program.

If you have any questions not covered by these FAQs, please email pathways.to.politics@unsw.edu.au