These people want you to get elected
There are many Australian people actively trying to help people like you into decision-making roles.
Consider buying a book and joining some of these groups and promoting them through your networks. Joining is one of the most powerful things you can do, whether you try to get elected or take on another kind of role. Knowledge is power. Power yourself up to help all kinds of under-represented people to have a voice in our communities.
Books
Get Elected by Ruth McGowan: a step by step campaign guide to winning public office: local, state, and federal.
"Thank Goodness You’re Here!" now get elected and make a difference by Suzy Cooper (yes, that’s me): a practical, encouraging and gently irreverent how-to guide for getting elected to a decision-making role at a school, club, committee, board, local council, state or federal government. Design and manage an election campaign that feels good and get elected without losing your soul, your friends or your sense of humour.
How to train your political animal by Melinda Maddock: train your political animal so you can do politics differently and create a better world.
Australian groups for women, gender-diverse people and others who are under-represented in elected roles
Raise Our Voice: aims to amplify diverse young female and non-binary voices to actively lead conversations in politics, domestic policy and foreign policy.
Australian Youth Affairs Coalition: Australian Youth Affairs Coalition is here as the national voice and a powerful advocate for all young people. We’re working together so that young people are respected and have the power to lead change for a better world. “Young people don’t just want to be heard. We want our seat at the table to create change for everyone. We are putting our hand up and want our chance to be a part of the solution.
Australian Local Government Women’s Association: ALGWA has branches in every state and territory in Australia. It seeks to strengthen networking, mentoring and innovative opportunities that encourage and support women in local government.
Women for Election: WFE aim to inspire, equip and sustain women to successfully stand for, and thrive in, public office in Australia. They run a course called EQUIP and offer masterclasses and other great resources.
The Pathways to Politics Program for Women: Pathways to Politics for Women is a national, proudly non-partisan initiative that aims to change the face of politics by equipping women with the skills, knowledge, confidence and networks they need to run for elected office and thrive as political leaders.
National Council of Women of Australia (NCWA): is a national non-government umbrella organisation with broadly humanitarian and educational objectives, which seeks to raise the awareness of women and girls to their rights and responsibilities as citizens and to encourage the participation of women in all aspects of community life.
Centre of Multicultural Political Engagement and Leadership (COMPELL): The Centre of Multicultural Political Engagement, Literacy and Leadership (COMPELL) is dedicated to advancing multicultural Australian representation in Australian politics.
UN Women: Women are still under-represented in government, business, civil society, and key positions of influence. UN Women works to change this by:
Providing training for women political candidates to help build their capacities;
Running voter and civic education and sensitisation campaigns on gender equality
Calling on political parties, governments and others to do their part in empowering women
Encouraging young men and women to engage in advocacy around making gender equality central to public policy-making
Promoting women’s rights, including their right to vote and to violence-free campaigning.
Rainbow Local Government: Supporting and promoting the efforts of local governments to foster a culture that is inclusive, responsive and accessible to LGBTIQA+ Victorians.
Politics in Colour: helping diverse Australians considering a career in politics to overcome barriers and challenges and get elected.