15 September

Women have been very successful in being elected to the ARM’s new National Council and to Branch Councils, each of 11 members, in the States:National Council: Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, Susan Ryan (seven women stood out of 33 candidates for the eight directly elected positions)NSW: Alison Henry, Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Babette Smith (three out of three – 31 total);Vic: Helen Millicer, Kerry Lovering, Laura Cook, Chris Palfreyman (four out of four – 14 total);Qld: Rita Troughton (one out of two – 14 total);SA: Naomi Pearson, Wendy Shirley, Majorie Schulze, Leigh Evans (four out of four – 15 total);WA: Julie Armstrong, Marilyn West, Kathy Hardie, Annette Holmes (four out of five – 18 total);Tas: Lisa Singh, Louise Sullivan (two out of two – 11 total);ACT: Anne Witheford, Kirsten Andrews, Gwen Wilcox (three out of five – 14 total);NT: no electionTwo women stood for Youth Representative on National Council out of nine candidates but neither was elected. Kate Ellis (SA) and Felicia Wells (ACT) were chosen for Branch Councils from a small number of women candidates for the single youth position in each State. The ARM election was conducted online as well as using traditional ballot papers according to members’ choice. There was signifcant take-up of electronic voting by young members of the ARM.