The Suffragette Movement

Calls for women’s political citizenship

1850

Calls for women’s political citizenship were first voiced in the 1850s, after Britain granted the beginnings of representative government to the colonies. This decision was influenced by oversees campaignes for democratic reform. Improved education in women led to growing pressure for female equality, and rights.

Suffrage Societies

1880

By the 1880s each British colony had suffrage societies and temperance leagues, which supported suffrage as a way of addressing Social issues associated with alcohol abuse. These groups published leaflets and newspapers; organised debates, rallies, letter-writing campaigns and fundraisers; and lobbied male parliamentarians to act on their behalf. Their primary tools were petitions, always tabled by men.

South Australia

1895

In South Australia there were seven attempts to legislate for women. A petition in the South Australian House of Assembly during the debate of the Adult Suffrage Bill 1894 featured 11,600 signatures. They had been collected by the Women’s Suffrage League and Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, led by Mary Lee and Elizabeth Webb Nicholls respectively. After heated debate, the Bill passed. In 1895 South Australian women, of all races, became the most enfranchised in the world.

Delegates Speak Up

1897

At the 1897–98 Federal Convention, South Australian delegates including Premier Charles Kingston and Treasurer Frederick Holder worked to ensure their female constituents would not be deprived of their rights. The outcome of their negotiations, recorded as Section 41 of the Constitution, allowed women who could already vote in their colony to retain their right to vote in their State after Federation.

Commonwealth Franchise Act

1902

The Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 granted people the right to vote in federal elections for both Houses of Parliament irrespective of gender, marital status or property ownership. The Franchise Act was fundamental to the establishment of Australia’s representative parliament and its global reputation as a champion of equality.

WSPU

1903

In 1903 Emmeline Pankhurst and others, frustrated by the lack of progress, decided more direct action was required and founded the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) with the motto 'Deeds not words'. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928) was a founding member of the WSPU in 1903 and led it until it disbanded in 1918. Under her leadership the WSPU was a highly organised group and like other members she was imprisoned and went on hunger strike protests.

Australian Suffragists Support British Women

1911

Australian suffragists supported the British women’s struggle with a constant flow of advice and campaign media. One prominent Australian campaigner was Vida Goldstein. She also contributed articles to Votes for Women, the journal of Britain’s Women’s Social and Political Union.