Australia’s minister for women has announced a new investment to get more women to run for public office.

The $5 million government commitment will go toward equipping and encouraging more women to run at local, state and federal elections over the next five years.

Minister for women and finance Katy Gallagher says grants will be delivered through the Women’s Leadership and Development Program and administered by a team within PM&C.

“Women make up more than 50 per cent of the general population in Australia but are not yet half of the representatives that sit in federal parliament,” Senator Gallagher said this week.

“We want to support organisations that have clear programs or strategies in place to support women, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to get involved in politics and to work towards election to public office.”

The grants are intended to back projects that demonstrate an understanding of the barriers women face entering office, as well as teaching about the political process and candidate expectations.

Applicants must also be non-partisan and show that the proposed program has no political affiliations or agendas. They must also be accessible to all women across the political spectrum.

“Politics and parliaments have traditionally been male dominated workplaces and we want to empower organisations to break down the barriers that make it challenging for women to run for public office,” Senator Gallagher said.

As if to show the disparity in treatment of men and women in government, the announcement comes in the same week that Senator Glenn Sterle is forced to apologise to Senator Bridget McKenzie for calling the Nationals politician a “naughty little girl” during an estimates hearing.