Program

About the Program

Pathways to Politics places an emphasis on skills training, good governance, leadership and fostering strong bonds between participants.  The program features 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, and leading figures in Australian political and public life.

Pathways to Politics has a practical, experiential format, supporting active participation through workshops, case studies, panel discussions, Q&As and networking opportunities.

Our program curriculum is overseen by Academic Coordinator Dr Lisa Carson, Lecturer in Public Leadership & Diversity in the Melbourne School of Government, and is comprised of 10 modules across themes including:

• Articulating your political vision
• Making the decision to run
• Pre-selection
• Campaign fundamentals
• Media training
• Resilience
• Political leadership
• Policy making
• Speech making
• Ethical dilemmas in politics

We are extremely grateful for the support of the many incredible guest speakers who have devoted their time and experience to the program, including:

• Juliana Addison MP, Member for Wendouree (Pathways to Politics alumna)
• Dr Katie Allen MP, Member for Higgins (Pathways to Politics alumna)
• The Hon John Brumby AO
• The Hon Quentin Bryce AD CVO
• Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp
• Annabel Crabb, journalist
• Peta Credlin, SKY News anchor and former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Tony Abbott
• Joel Deane, speechwriter and journalist
• Dr Angelia Grant, Office of the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Treasurer, Federal Member for Kooyong
• Dr Helen Haines MP, Member for Indi
• Senator Sarah Hanson Young, Senator for South Australia
• Jill Hennessey MP, Member for Altona
• Senator the Hon Jane Hume, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy
• Senator Jacqui Lambie, Senator for Tasmania
• Dr Simon Longstaff AO, Executive Director, The Ethics Centre
• The Hon Jenny Macklin, Vice Chancellor's Fellow, Melbourne School of Government, former Member for Jagajaga and Deputy Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party
• Cr Vonda Malone, Mayor of the Torres Shire Council
• Michelle Moffat, Managing Director Moffat Corporate
• Cindy McLeish, Member for Eildon
• Cathy McGowan AO, former Member for Indi
• Ruth McGowan OAM, author of  Get Elected, independent consultant ((Pathways to Politics alumna)
• Cr Susanne Newton, City of Darebin Councillor (Pathways to Politics alumna)
• The Hon Kelly O'Dwyer, former Member for Higgins
• Cr Cathy Oke, Councillor for the City of Melbourne
• Clare O'Neil MP, Member for Hotham
• Fiona Patten MP, Leader of Reason
• Hamish Park, Director Melbourne Leadership Group and Senior Fellow, Melbourne School of Government
• Lissie Ratcliff, Chief of Staff to the Premier of Victoria
• Samantha Ratnam, MLC for Northern Metropolitan and the leader of the Victorian Greens
• Deputy Lord Mayor Nick Reece, Director of Strategy, Policy and Projects, University of Melbourne and Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne
• The Hon Nicola Roxon, former Member for Gellibrand
• Senator Janet Rice, Senator for Victoria
• Steph Ryan MP, Member for Euroa, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
• Leigh Sales, journalist
• Ellen Sandell MP, Member for Melbourne
• Natasha Stott Despoja AO, founding Chairperson of Our Watch, Member World Bank Gender Advisory Council and UN High Level Working Group on the Health & Human Rights of Women, Children and Adolescents.
• Kat Theophanous MP, Member for Northcote (Pathways to Politics alumna)
• Senator Lidia Thorpe, Senator for Victoria
• Laura Tingle, journalist
• Bridget Vallence MP, Member for Evelyn (Pathways to Politics alumna)
• Danielle Wood, CEO Grattan Institute
• Senator Penny Wong, Senator for South Australia, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate