Anna Bligh prepares for leadership challenge, as more women rise to the top of Aussie politics

Women are proving instrumental in a variety of high-profile roles that show they can excel in previously male-dominated fields.

It seems that these days everywhere you look a determined woman is leading the way in her chosen field.

Earlier this month, it was the female leg of the Aussie swim team that shone taking home a slew of gold, silver and bronze medals at the Tokyo World Cup.

Catherine Burn was rewarded for 27 years of service to the police force, as well as her dedication to innovation community programs when she won the 2011 Business Woman of the Year Awards.

While industry leaders such as Heather Ridout, chief executive of Australia Industry Group, and Gail Kelley, chief at St George, are regularly in the media.

However, a number of women political figures are also proving that you don't need to be male to get ahead in the workplace.

Julia Gillard – who among other things is the nation's first female prime minister – came into office on a tight margin, but has recently overtaken Tony Abbot as the preferred PM.

The latest Newspoll shows her overall approval rating is sitting on 34 per cent, however,on the question of Better PM, Ms Gillard has risen by one point to a four-month high of 40 per cent, which is a considerable improvement on previous ratings.

In the same time period Tony Abbot's popularity has declined and dropped by five points to a nine-month low of 35 per cent.

Yet Ms Gillard is not the only female political leader in Australia at the moment, with many state and council roles being occupied by members of the fairer sex.

Queensland premier Anna Bligh has been instrumental to the state's rebuilding process after devastating floods last summer wreaked havoc on the city of Brisbane and neighbouring areas.

And while the leader of the labour party may have her detractors, it is widely thought that her personal resolve has helped the sunshine state through some of its darkest days.

In a recent debate, which was adjudicated by the Courier Mail, Ms Bligh said that the success of the rebuilding effort demonstrated her strong leadership qualities.

"It didn't happen by accident … it was led by a government with discipline, drive and sense of purpose to make it happen," she asserted.

Both Ms Gillard and Ms Bligh are preparing for elections in 2012 and representative of a number of female political figures from all sides of politics that are helping shape Australia.