Quentin Bryce launches 2017 Pathways to Politics Program for Women

The first female Governor-General of Australia, The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, will formally open this yearâ??s Pathways to Politics Program for Women at the Melbourne School of Government tonight. Initiated by the Womenâ??s Leadership Institute Australia (WLIA) and made possible by a generous donation from the Trawalla Foundation to the University of Melbourne, the non-partisan Program is the first of its kind to provide women with the skills, networks and confidence to aspire to elected office at local, state and national levels. Dame Quentin says the Program features guest presenters from across the political spectrum including politicians (both sitting and retired), pollsters, public speaking professionals, campaign strategists, advisors, consultants and public policy experts as well as leading figures in Australian political and public life. â?'Enabling women to become political leaders is not only about fairness. Women are terrific leaders and diversity makes for effective leadership. I am extremely proud of this endeavor and I look forward to the day the country is led by a graduate of this program,â'' she says. This year, the 25 successful applicants will also learn how to build a political campaign and will present a speech in the Victorian Parliamentâ??s Legislative Assembly to a select panel of MPs who will provide direct feedback on their work.