Women rising in Australian Politics

Women can have it all, we just have to have it on our terms and how we want it, says Zali Steggall. The Olympian-turned-barrister is challenging Tony Abbott for the Sydney seat of Warringah in the Federal Election, which is next month.

Steggall said women are standing up to be heard and counted in public life, determining the circumstances in which they enter the parliament, what they fight for and how they are represented. "When I came to decide this latest career change, a huge motivating factor was that sense of wanting more voice in the parliament." She told the HerVote forum, a partnership between Future Women and Twitter, that at the end of the day if we are not prepared to stand up, then we really can't complain. Steggall said it's up to each and every woman to change their future.

Women MPs Tanya Plibersek and Susan Ley are forging their own paths in the male-dominated political arena. Ley encouraged women to enter politics. However, she said one can't have it all. Ley has three children, three finance degrees, a pilot's license and a rigorous career as the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories. "Nothing was perfect for me, in fact, far from it. When you have three children, trying to study, trying to work in parliament. You just do your best and people love you if you do your best and you are there for them." Ley acknowledged challenges. "Yes its tough, but on the other side of every challenge is a better version of you. And you must speak up, speak your voice, we want to hear you and we want you somewhere that leads you to the federal legislature."