History of women and government in Australia

By saul.zavarce

  • Women vote for the first time in an Australian election

    Women vote for the first time in a state election in South Australia. http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/women_and_politics/suffrage.htm
  • Period: to

    History of women and government in Australia

  • Women gain the right to vote and stand for government at a federal level

    Australia becomes the first nation in the world to grant women the right to vote and to stand for election with the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902. http://foundingdocs.gov.au/item-sdid-88.html

  • First election to have women run for parliament

    Four women run for election but none are successful.

  • Edith Cowan is the first woman elected into parliament in Western Australia

    Edith Cowen becomes the first woman to serve in parliament in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. She is commemorated on the 50 dollar bill.

  • First two women voted into federal parliament

    Enid Lyons and Dorothy Tangney become the first women to be elected into the lower house and upper house respectively.

  • Indigenous women are given the same rights as white women

    The Menzies Government grants indigenous women the same rights are their white counter parts.http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/selfdetermination/voting-rights-for-aboriginal-people

  • Dame Margret Guilfoyle first female cabinet minister

    http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0075b.htm

  • Ros Kelly is the first woman to give birth while an MP

    Ros Kelly stayed an MP until 1995.

  • Janine Haines becomes first woman to lead a political party

    Janine Haines is elected leader for the Democrats http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0372b.htm

  • Julia Gillard becomes the first female Prime Minister in Australia

    June 24 sees Julia Gillard become Australia's first female prime minister, 108 years after women are granted the right to stand for election.