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The Honourable Gabrielle Williams MP
May 2025
Gabrielle Williams, Member for Dandenong and Minister for Transport Infrastructure, transitioned from law and project management to politics. With a focus on equity, public transport, and empowering women, she advocates for family-friendly workplaces and leadership styles that embrace diversity, aiming to leave a meaningful, lasting impact.
"Never let fear get in the way. Sometimes discomfort is the soil we need to grow and to thrive.
The Honourable Gabrielle Williams MP
Q1
What inspired you to transition from working as a lawyer and project manager at the University of Melbourne to running for Parliament?
I never had it in my life plan to run for a seat in parliament, though I greatly enjoyed doing policy work as an adviser at both state and federal level. It was a mentor who suggested I consider it, and my first reaction was to reject the idea outright! We had a good chat about it and I realised my rejection was motivated by fear - and that didn't seem a good enough reason to dismiss it. So I put my hand up. And I've loved almost every minute since.
Q2
As the Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Public and Active Transport, your days must be incredibly varied. Can you share a typical day in your role and how you manage the demands of both portfolios?
Every day is different. It's a combination of media commitments, meetings with our infrastructure delivery agencies and the department, as well as public transport operators and key stakeholders. And a lot of time on the road visiting projects and working to understand the needs of different parts of our transport network. There's no better way to learn than by getting out there and seeing things for yourself! As for how I juggle the different priorities and demands, multi-tasking is a necessary skill, but it's also about understanding and accepting that certain things will demand more of your time at different points in time - and that shifts and changes.
You’ve worked on significant issues like gender equality and family violence prevention. What do you find to be the most rewarding part of your job, and what keeps you motivated?
Q3
It's an enormous privilege to get the opportunity to contribute to areas of policy that have such a meaningful impact on people's lives. Knowing that we can deliver change, and resolve problems - and witnessing the outcomes of that - is very motivating. It's also a constant reminder of how important it is that governments be connected to the communities we serve - that we engage, listen, and do our best to problem solve.
From your time in law to your leadership roles in government, what skills or habits do you think have been key to your success, and how have they helped you navigate such a diverse career?
Q4
I think the skill that I've developed the most in politics is to absorb large volumes of information, quickly. But I've also learnt to ask questions - and I think being an MP has made me better at doing that. Curiosity is a valuable tool - it enables you to interrogate information and critically evaluate it. And that's been critical in every role I've had.
As a woman in leadership, what changes do you believe are necessary to empower more women in public service and leadership roles?
Q5
The move towards more family friendly working environments is critical. It's the case in many industries that women experience a career flatline when they have children, and that's not always their choice. We need to make sure we create spaces for women to continue to contribute and excel and be rewarded for it. And women need to embrace our own leadership styles, rather than simply replicate the leadership styles modelled by men. And we need to encourage each other to do that.
What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in politics or public service, especially given your own journey and experiences?
Q6
Never let fear get in the way. Sometimes discomfort is the soil we need to grow and to thrive.
Looking ahead, what do you hope to achieve in your current and future roles, and how do you envision leaving a legacy in the public sector?
Q7
Everyone enters politics to leave the place better than they found it, and I'm no exception. I hope my legacy is one that demonstrates a consistent focus on equity - irrespective of portfolio. If anything I do affords people an opportunity they might not have otherwise had, then I'll have done something worthwhile.
5 May 2025