Working Strategically

The Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) role is to ensure Australian citizens have the right to vote, and is responsible for maintaining an impartial and independent voting system.¹

The Australian Gender Equality Council is a charity focused on gender equality across Australian society. ²

The Parliament of Australia includes detailed information and resources relevant to parliamentary business, senators and members and news, as well as general details about parliament and how and when to visit.³

The Parliamentary Education Office provides a suite of resources about Australia’s parliamentary democracy.⁴

Oxfam Australia is one of the 20 members of the Oxfam global movement that is focused on the equality and justice of First Peoples, women and girls, communities impacted by climate and poverty, as well as the provision of humanitarian aid.⁵

Politics in Colour advocates for women of colour in politics and offers workshops, webinars and resources to inspire women to run for office.⁶

Pathways to Politics for Women is a non-partisan initiative focused on increasing the representation of women in Australian politics by providing practical skills and knowledge in readiness for political leadership.⁷

Women for Election (WFE) is a not-for-profit and bi-partisan organisation focused on creating gender parity across Australian governments.⁸

• The Australian Electoral Commission provides a variety of resources aimed at various stakeholders, including voters, political participants and educators. Specific information is available for Indigenous Australians, including community education resources that outline the process of voting and how the government is determined.
• The Australian Gender Equality Council has produced A Toolkit for Gender Advocacy which includes information about the work of politicians, who to speak to and how.⁹
• The Understand our Parliament section of the Parliamentary Education Office offers a variety of resources to learn about the role, function, structure and people of Australia’s parliamentary system.¹⁰ The Glossary may help navigate some of the key terms used in parliament.¹¹

Parliament and its people – the King, represented by the Governor-General, Senate and House of Representatives constitute the parliament of Australia, and there are many roles people play within each function.¹²

The Parliament of Australia¹³

How Parliament works – is detailed in the Australian Constitution and also includes the separation of powers and three levels of government – federal, state and local.¹⁴

Separation of Powers in Australia¹⁵

Having your say – importantly, all Australians have the right to have a say about decisions made in parliament and these rights are exercised through voting, as well as being actively involved.¹⁶

History of parliament – understand the relatively recent history of the Australian Parliament and significant milestones including the Magna Carta, federation and the 1967 Referendum.¹⁷

Parliament house – is situated in Canberra and the home of Australia’s Parliament.¹⁸

• The About Parliament section of the Parliament of Australia website includes information about the four Parliamentary Departments that support the work of the Australian Parliament.¹⁹

Parliamentary Departments²⁰

About Parliament also provides many Publications and Resources, including those related to the work and people of the Senate such as: 

Passage of Legislation – an interactive website that outlines the law-making process.²¹

Glossary of Senate terms – explanation of key terms relevant to Senate work.²²

Senate Matters – public interest articles relating to the work of the Senate.²³

• Straight Talk  is one of Oxfam Australia’s signature programs for engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia’s political system.²⁴ The program is offered every 18 months and culminates in a week-long summit in Canberra, connecting women across the continent and building political acumen to enact change.²⁵
• Recognised by Politics in Colour, each year Pathways to Politics for Women offers a fully funded program that provides participants with political training and mentoring in campaigning, media and leadership.²⁶

The Pathways to Politics website also has a knowledge hub that includes a variety of resources about why women in politics matter and how to become a political leader.²⁷ Included on the hub are videos, articles and reports related to First Nations women.

• Women for Election (WFE) provides information about running for office and how to get elected. The organisation offers free, regular events, both online and face-to-face, to get women, including First Nations, equipped to run for office.

Australian Electoral Commission. “The AEC’s Role.” Accessed September 12, 2024. https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/.

Australian Gender Equality Council. “Home.” Accessed September 5, 2024. https://www.agec.org.au/.

Oxfam Australia. “Home.” Accessed September 12, 2024. https://www.oxfam.org.au/.

Oxfam Australia. “Straight Talk.” Accessed 12 September 2024. https://www.oxfam.org.au/what-we-do/indigenous-australia/straight-talk/.

Parliament of Australia. “About Parliament.” Accessed 12 September 2024. https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament.

Parliament of Australia. “Glossary of Senate Terms.” Accessed 12 September 2024.  https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Publications_and_resources/Other_resources/Glossary_of_Senate_terms.

Parliament of Australia. “Home.” Accessed September 12, 2024. https://www.aph.gov.au/.

Parliament of Australia. “Passage of Legislation.” Accessed 12 September 2024. https://senate.gov.au/passage-of-legislation/index.html.

Parliament of Australia. “Senate Maters.” Accessed 12 September 2024. https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Whats_On/Senate_matters

Parliamentary Education Office. ‘Glossary.” Accessed September 5, 2024. https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/glossary. 

Parliamentary Education Office. “Having Your Say.” Accessed September 5, 2024. https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/having-your-say.

Parliamentary Education Office. “History of Parliament.”  Accessed September 5, 2024. https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/history-of-parliament.

Parliamentary Education Office. “Home.” Accessed August 29, 2024, https://peo.gov.au/.

Parliamentary Education Office. “How Parliament Works.” Accessed September 5, 2024. https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works.

Parliamentary Education Office. “Parliament and Its People.” Accessed September 5, 2024. https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/parliament-and-its-people.

Parliamentary Education Office. “Parliament House.” Accessed September 5, 2024. https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/parliament-house.

Parliamentary Education Office. “Parliament of Australia.” Accessed September 5, 2024. https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/introducing-our-parliament/parliament-of-australia.

Parliamentary Education Office. “Separation of Powers in Australia.” Accessed September 5, 2024. https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/system-of-government/separation-of-powers-parliament-executive-and-judiciary.

Parliamentary Education Office. “Understand Our Parliament.” Accessed September 5, 2024, https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament.

Pathways to Politics for Women. About Pathways to Politics for Women.” Accessed September 12, 2024. https://pathwaystopolitics.org.au/about/.

Pathways to Politics for Women. “Pathways to Politics Knowledge Hub.” Accessed 12 September 2024. https://pathwaystopolitics.org.au/knowledge-hub.

Politics in Colour. “About Us.” Accessed September 12, 2024. https://politicsincolour.com/about-us.

Richards, Joanna. A Toolkit for Gender Advocacy. 50/50 by 2030 Foundation, 2020.

Women for Election. “About Us.” Accessed September 12, 2024. https://wfe.org.au/about-us/.