Author Archives: AWAVA Secretariat

Ayor Makur Chuot is elected to be Australia’s first South Sudanese MP

In March 2021 Ms Chuot Ayor Makur was elected become the first South Sudanese MP in Australia and the first black African in WA Parliament. Ms Chuot arrived in WA as a 16-year-old in 2005 along with five siblings and … Continue reading

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Nyadol Nyuon becomes the first African Australian woman to be appointed the chairperson of a national multicultural peak body in Australia

In September 2020, Melbourne lawyer, human rights advocate and former refugee Nyadol Nyuon was appointed the new chair of Australia’s migrant and refugee women’s coalition, Harmony Alliance. Born in a refugee camp in Ethiopia where her family fled to escape … Continue reading

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June Oscar AO becomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

On 3 April 2017, June Oscar AO became Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, the first woman to hold the position. A Bunuba woman from Fitzroy Valley in Western Australia, June Oscar was formerly CEO at the Marninwarntikura … Continue reading

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Women’s March

The Women’s March was a worldwide protest on 21 January 2017, to advocate legislation and policies regarding human rights and other issues, including women’s rights, immigration reform, healthcare reform, reproductive rights, the natural environment, LGBTIQ rights, racial equality, freedom of … Continue reading

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Fiona Simson elected first female president of National Farmers Federation

In November 2016, Fiona Simson was elected as the first female president of the National Farmers Federation. She was the NFF’s first female president in its 37-year history, after also being the first woman to lead the New South Wales … Continue reading

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Linda Burney becomes first Aboriginal woman elected to House of Representatives

On 2 July 2016, Linda Burney became the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to the House of Representatives in the Australian Parliament, winning the NSW seat of Barton. A Wiradjuri woman, Linda Burney was also the first Aboriginal person … Continue reading

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COAG Advisory Panel on Violence against Women and their Children makes its report

On 1 April 2016, the COAG Advisory Panel on Reducing Violence against Women and their Children submitted its final report to COAG, containing six areas for action and 28 recommendations. At this meeting, COAG gave its in principle support to … Continue reading

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Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence releases final report

The Royal Commission into Family Violence report was tabled in the Victorian Parliament on Wednesday, 30 March 2016. The Commission’s multi-volume report canvasses the many views heard by the Commission during its consultation processes and covers a broad range of … Continue reading

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Announcement of Advisory Panel to Reduce Violence Against Women

In the wake of calls to action to address domestic violence, the Federal Government announced an Advisory Panel to reduce violence against women. The panel will include 2015 Australian of the Year and domestic violence campaigner, Rosie Batty; WESNET and … Continue reading

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Julie Bishop becomes the first woman to be Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs

On 18 September 2013, the Hon Julie Bishop MP was sworn in as Australia’s first female Foreign Minister following four years in the role of Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. She previously served as a Cabinet Minister in … Continue reading

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