Electoral Reform in Australia By harveysyates Period: Jan 1, 1850 to Dec 31, 2011 History of Australian Electoral Reform Jan 1, 1856 all adult (21 years) male British subjects were entitled to vote in South Australia Jan 1, 1857 all adult (21 years) male British subjects were entitled to vote in Victoria. Jan 1, 1858 all adult (21 years) male British subjects were entitled to vote in New South Wales. Jan 1, 1859 all adult (21 years) male British subjects were entitled to vote in Queensland. However, Indigenous people were denied the vote. Jan 1, 1885 Queensland Elections Act excluded all Indigenous people from voting Jan 1, 1890 all adult (21 years) male British subjects were entitled to vote in Western Australia. However, Indigenous people were denied the vote. Jan 1, 1895 SA Women eligible to vote. Jan 1, 1896 all adult (21 years) male British subjects were entitled to vote in Tasmania Jan 1, 1899 WA Women eligible to vote. Jan 1, 1902 NSW Women eligible to vote. Jan 1, 1903 TAS Women eligible to vote. Jan 1, 1905 QLD Women eligible to vote. Jan 1, 1908 VIC Women eligible to vote. Jan 1, 1911 NT and ACT Women eligible to vote. Jan 1, 1921 WA - Edith Cowan elected to Legislative Assembly as member for West Perth, the first woman elected to any Australian Parliament. Jan 1, 1925 Compulsory voting first used at a federal election Jan 1, 1965 Queensland allowed Aborigines to vote in State elections. Queensland was the last State to grant this right Jan 1, 1971 Neville Bonner AO (1922 – 1999) was the first Indigenous person to be appointed to Federal Parliament in Australia. Jan 1, 1984 Compulsory enrolment and voting for Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders introduced Jan 1, 1989 ACT - Rosemary Follett, first female head of government in Australia. Jan 1, 1990 WA - Dr Carmen Lawrence, Australia's first woman Premier Jan 1, 2001 WA Carol Martin the first indigenous woman elected to a State Parliament Jan 1, 2010 Ms Julia Gillard MP becomes Prime Minister.
