“Achieving true gender and diversity parity in politics requires more than increasing candidate numbers – it demands a fundamental shift in how, and where, women and diverse candidates are positioned to compete" says report co-author, @eliseinthewoods.bsky.social

➡️ giwl.anu.edu.au/2025-election

Diversity among candidates remains another area of concern – of the 591 declared candidates at the point of analysis, 21% self-identified as belonging to diverse or underrepresented groups

However, this figure falls short of the rate of diversity seen in the current Parliament (29%)

84% of the Coalition's female candidates are contesting 'glass cliff' seats, compared to 50% of Labor women

So, while this is a persistent issue across parties, Labor women do have a more even playing field heading into this election

Across both major parties, female candidates are disproportionately running in 'glass cliff' seats that are hard to win, and difficult to hold

While women make up more than half of the candidates being put forward by Labor, less than a third of the Coalition’s candidates are women

And the Coalition is fielding more than twice as many male as female candidates this election