Category Archives: Politics

Rejection of Marital Rape Immunity

High Court unanimously rejects the so-called common law ‘marital rape immunity’ in R v L [1991] HCA 48 (which had previously been abolished by statute)

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First female vice-regal representative appointed – Dame Roma Mitchell

Dame Roma Mitchell became the first female vice-regal representative in Australian when she was appointed Governor of South Australia.

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First woman Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission – Lowitja O’Donoghue

Born in 1932 in a remote Aboriginal community, Lowitja (Lois) O’Donoghue became the founding chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission in 1990.

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First female State Premiers – Carmen Lawrence, and Joan Kirner.

In a leadership change on 12 February 1990, Dr Carmen Lawrence made history by becoming Premier of Western Australia and Australia’s first woman Premier. Following Labor’s narrow defeat at the 1993 State election, Dr Lawrence also became Western Australia’s first … Continue reading

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First female head of State – Rosemary Follett

Rosemary Follett became the first female Head of State in Australia when she was appointed Chief Minister of the ACT.

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Joan Child became first female Speaker of the Federal House

Joan Child was the first female member of the Australian Labor Party to be elected to the federal Parliament, as Member for the seat of Henty in 1974. She lost her seat in the 1975 election, but regained it in … Continue reading

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Janine Haines became the first woman leader of a political party in the Federal Parliament.

Janine Haines became the first woman leader of a political party in the Federal Parliament.

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Women’s Electoral Lobby

The Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) began in February 1972 when 10 women met in a feminist’s home to discuss ways of playing a more influential role in the election planned for December that year.

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The Women’s Prayer

THE WOMEN’S PRAYER Our Prime Minister Which art in Canberra Democracy be thy aim. May liberty come and equality be won For women as well as for men. Give us this day equal status And forgive those conventions Which discriminate … Continue reading

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First women elected to Federal Parliament – Enid Lyons and Dorothy Tangney

The first woman was elected to Federal Parliament – Enid Lyons to the House of Representatives and Dorothy Tangney to the Senate.

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