Pathways to Politics for Women NT

The program is open to women across the NT. You will become part of an extensive, supportive national network of diverse and highly motivated women from various political, professional and cultural backgrounds, all dedicated to making a tangible difference in the political landscape. 

Note: Pathways to Politics embraces an inclusive definition of ‘women’, acknowledging the diversity of women we work with and aim to support, including cisgender and transgender women, and non-binary people.

To be eligible, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Be over 18 years of age.
• Be an Australian citizen/Australian permanent resident/holder of a New Zealand Special Category Visa or permanent Humanitarian Visa.
• Currently reside in the same region as the program to which you are applying.
• Identify as a woman (noting we embrace an inclusive definition of ‘women’, including cisgender and transgender women, and non-binary people).

Participants will be selected on a competitive basis against the following criteria:

• Participants will be selected on a competitive basis against the following criteria:
• Commitment to seeking elected office.
• Professional and life experience.
• Political engagement.
• Ability to tell your story compellingly.

Pathways to Politics for Women is committed to minimising barriers to entering 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 Torres Strait Islander
• Identify as LGBTQIA+
• Previous status as a refugee or current holder of a humanitarian visa
• Culturally and linguistically diverse background
• Disadvantaged socio-economic circumstances
• Disability or chronic medical condition
• Difficult personal circumstances
• Coming from a rural or isolated area.

Participation in the Pathways to Politics for Women Program is FREE, but you must apply to be considered. 

Program

The 2025 program was held in Alice Springs and Darwin for in-person sessions as well as online.
Dates: Alice Springs 7 & 8 August, Online 18 & 19 August, Darwin 8 & 9 September

Participants:

NT 2025 Cohort:  Alexandra Craig, Maria Grujicic, Erika Hamilton, Tanya Kalinowsky, Hajrah Kamran, Budat Maymuru, Zainab Mohamud, Elnaz Saki, Harriet Scandol, Petea Stark, Robyn Stockton, Emcille Wills and Kirsten Wilson. 

The cohort of thirteen had fantastic representation for multicultural and rural communities in the Northern Territory and embraced all sessions in Alice Springs and Darwin as well as online. 
 

Program

The 2024 program was in person at Darwin at Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University Casuarina Campus. 
Dates: Monday, 3 June, until Friday, 7 June (one-week intensive format). 

Participants:

NT 2024 Cohort: Imelda Adamson Adams, Sara Battye, Zena Cowen, Jane Davies, Yolanda Kanyai, Sasha King, Amanda Kingdon, Belinda Kolstad, Lenny, Veronica Matipira and Sara-Jane Saltmarsh. 

Eleven participants were selected in 2024, with three women running as independent candidates in the 2024 election. The cohort had fantastic representation for multicultural and rural communities in the Northern Territory. 

Program

The 2023 program was in-person at Darwin at Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University Casuarina Campus. 
Dates: Monday, 11 September, until Friday, 15 September (one-week intensive format). 

Participants:

NT 2023 Cohort: Anika Alam, Suki Dorras-Walker, Rana Everett, Lavinia Gaff, Sunny Liu, Tanya Moran, Deanne Rioli, Nicole Sabamba, Jacqueline Taylor, Laurie Zio

Eleven participants were selected in 2023, a significant achievement given that this is only the program's second year in the Northern Territory. The group is professionally diverse, including participants from the government, corporate sector, and business sectors.

Six cohort members are not affiliated with a political party, followed by NT Greens Party (2), ALP (1), CLP (1), and Independent (1). The cohort consists of women from diverse cultural, language and geographic backgrounds. Two cohort members identify as First Nations Australians.

Program

The 2022 program was in-person at Darwin at Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University Casuarina Campus. 
Dates: Thursday, 13 October, until Friday, 9 December (8-week part-time format).

Pathways to Politics Program for Women NT 2022 Participant Pack (link available soon)

Participants

NT 2022 Cohort: Georgie Corrie, Ellie Cuthbert, Genevieve Dally, Rosanna De Santis, Aiya Goodrich Carttling, Sibella Hare Breidahl, Peta Haughey, Asta Hill, Anjana Pant Baral, Emily Raso, Jade Ritchie, Rose-Anna Selhorst

Twelve participants were selected, a significant achievement given that it was the first year the program had run in the Northern Territory. The group is professionally diverse and includes government, corporate sector, and small business participants. 

Most of the 2022 cohort were members of a political party, ALP (5), the NT Greens Party (3); one cohort member was independent, and three were unaligned at the commencement of the Program. The cohort consisted of women from diverse cultures, languages and geographic backgrounds. Three cohort members identified as First Nations Australians. 

Completing the NT Pathways to Politics for Women program has been such a rewarding experience. 

I not only built new skills in policy making, speech writing, media training and political ethics, but I also connected with an incredible network of inspiring women in the 2025 cohort.  The program challenged me to grow both personally and professionally, pushing me beyond my comfort zone.  The skills I’ve developed will strengthen my ability to make thoughtful and impactful decisions moving forward.

The Pathways to Politics for Women program was a game-changer for me! It equipped me with the skills, knowledge and courage to pursue my dreams in politics. I am now more confident than ever to make a difference and be a voice for change in my community. I have learnt about personal experiences ranging from family, finances and personal reflections. This is an awesome program. 

I am so happy I gave the course a go because the friendships, experiences and knowledge has created more than pathways to politics. The course has given me life choices, friendships and the perspective of what it would be like if we could change the way we do politics. 

Patron – The Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AO

The Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AO was sworn in as the 22^nd Administrator of the Northern Territory on 31 October 2017, completing her service on 31 January 2023.

Prior to her appointment as Administrator of the Northern Territory, Her Honour was Chief Executive Officer of Somerville Community Services. She has been a member of various boards and committees locally and nationally. Her Honour was Chair of National Disability Services Northern Territory, serving as National President of National Disability Services from 2012-2015, and Chair of the Northern Territory Government Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability Reform.

Lauren Moss is a former Northern Territory politician. She was the Labor member for Casuarina in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2014 - 2024. She was the youngest ever member of the Northern Territory Parliament. Prior to entering politics she was a youth advocate. 

Born in Crewe in the United Kingdom, Moss has lived in the Northern Territory since emigrating to Australia in 1999. She has a Bachelor of Business from Charles Darwin University and Monash University. Before entering politics, she ran a small business and worked in mental health services.  Lauren now works as a consultant.

She won an Excellence in Youth Leadership award at the NT Young Achiever Awards and the NT Pride of Australia Young Leader Medal. She was also a finalist in the NT Young Australian of the Year, Darwin City Council Young Citizen of the Year and the Australian Woman's Weekly Women of the Future.

Jo Hersey is a member for the electoral division of Katherine in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly.

Hersey was born in Adelaide, but moved to the Northern Territory when she was young. The family returned to Adelaide after a few years, but Hersey returned to Katherine after she married. Before being elected, she was a hairdresser, continuing a family tradition that stretched back 3 generations.

In the 2020 Northern Territory general election Hersey won a close race in the seat of Katherine to be elected to Legislative Assembly for the Country Liberal Party.

Professor Wallace is the Interim Deputy Vice Chancellor of the First Nations Leadership & Engagement and the Acting Director of Northern Institute.

Ruth’s research interests relate to the links between identity, marginalised learners and the development of effective learning and workforce development pathways. This work is situated in regional and remote areas of Northern Australia and Indonesia, with a specific focus in research approaches to improve service delivery and adaptation, undertaken with Aboriginal people in remote and regional areas.

Ruth’s research connects to digital systematic learning pedagogies, and approaches to workforce development through remote based enterprises.

Ruth is a leader in workforce development and focuses on collaborative approaches to engagement with community, governments and industry that are sustainable and scalable. Ruth has extensive experience in educational practice development and as a teacher at all educational level.

• Graduates of CDU program set to make waves at NT general election | NT News | 20 March 2024
• Politics program empowers women to stand for NT election | CDU Media | 12 March 2024
• Pathways to Politics for Women opens for applications ahead of historic election year | Pathways to Politics for Women Media Release | 6 March 2024

• 2023 Participant Lavinia Gaff interview - Scroll to 1:38:15 | ABC Radio Alice Springs | 29 August 2023
• Conversation with Georgie Corrie, P2PNT graduate | SBS NITV Radio | 16 June 2023
• Pathways to Politics program Alumni leading the charge for the YES Vote in the NT | CDU Media | 9 June 2023
• Dr Kate MacFarlane interview with Greg Vincent |104.1 Territory FM | 4 May 2023
• NT women in politics Report |9 News Darwin | 27 April 2023
• CDU program opens pathways for Territory women to enter politics | CDU Media | 26 April 2023

• A new pathway to public office for women in the Territory | CDU Media | 5 August 2022
• Supporting the next generation of female political leaders in the Territory | CDU Media | 13 October 2022