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ACT |
Australian Capital Territory |
AD |
Australian Democrats |
ALP |
Australian Labor Party |
c |
Approximate age |
CLP |
Country and Liberal Party (Northern Territory) |
CP |
Country Party |
CNP |
Country-National Party (Queensland) |
CTA |
Call to Australia (New South Wales) |
Def |
Defeated |
Dis |
Disqualified |
Grn |
Greens |
GWA |
Greens (Western Australia) |
Ind |
Independent |
Ind Lab |
Independent Labor |
Ind Lib |
Independent Liberal |
Lang L |
Lang Labor |
LCL |
Liberal and Country League (South Australia) |
LNP |
Liberal National Party (Queensland) |
Nat |
Nationalist |
NCP |
National (Country) Party (Western Australia) |
NDP |
Nuclear Disarmament Party |
NP |
National Country Party; National Party; The Nationals |
ONP |
One Nation Party |
PHON |
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation |
Res |
Resigned |
Ret |
Retired |
TGr |
Tasmanian Greens |
UAP |
United Australia Party |
† |
served in another House of Parliament |
± |
details of changes in party affiliation |
* |
by-election or casual vacancy |
This publication updates work published by David Black in 1966 under the title Women parliamentarians in Australia 1921–1996: a register of women members of Commonwealth, State and Territory Parliaments in Australia [1] . Professor Black very kindly provided electronic copies of his files to facilitate updating the records and has assisted with advice.
Section 1 consists of tables listing, by parliament, the women elected since 1921, in chronological order of election. The tables include:
Section 2 includes lists of the women by the date of their election in 12 time periods of ten years in the beginning but five years since 1970. The lists are followed by tables summarising the numbers elected since 1921 and the changing percentage of representation since 1970.
The date given for a member entering parliament is the date of the election; where this differs from the commencement of the parliamentary term this date is also given, either in parentheses immediately following the date of election or as otherwise indicated. Because there is such variation between the parliaments regarding the date on which a member’s term ceases, the date of the end of the parliamentary term in this publication, except for premature resignation or death, is the date of the ensuing general election.
Where a given name is bolded or added in parentheses this indicates the name preferred by the member concerned. The designation ‘Dame’ in brackets indicates that the title was awarded some time after the member’s initial entry to parliament.
The sources used to compile the lists were mainly parliamentary handbooks and websites, but other biographical sources were used to fill in some gaps. Each of the state and territory parliamentary libraries provided invaluable assistance in supplying elusive details and in checking the tables, and without their cooperation this project would not have been possible.
In 1996 Professor Black listed 303 individual women; the number has now grown to 562.
It has not been possible to update yet the section on ministerial appointments that was included in the 1996 publication; however the number of female ministers has doubled since 1996, from 18 to 36.
Name |
Age |
Party |
Constituency |
Date elected |
Left Parliament |
Why |
(Dame) Enid Muriel Lyons |
46 |
UAP |
Darwin (Tas) |
21 Aug 1943 |
3 Mar 1951 |
Ret |
Doris Amelia Blackburn |
57 |
Ind Lab |
Bourke (Vic) |
28 Sep 1946 |
10 Dec 1949 |
Def |
Kay Cathrine Millin Brownbill |
52 |
Lib |
Kingston (SA) |
26 Nov 1966 |
25 Oct 1969 |
Def |
Gloria Joan Liles Child |
52 |
ALP |
Henty (Vic) Henty (Vic) |
18 May 1974 18 Oct 1980 |
13 Dec 1975 19 Feb 1990 |
Def Ret |
Elaine Elizabeth Darling |
44 |
ALP |
Lilley (Qld) |
18 Oct 1980 |
13 Mar 1993 |
Ret |
Roslyn Joan Kelly |
32 |
ALP |
Canberra (ACT) |
18 Oct 1980 |
30 Jan 1995 |
Res |
Wendy Frances Fatin |
41 |
ALP |
Canning (WA) Brand (WA) |
5 Mar 1983 1 Dec 1984 |
until elected for 2 Mar 1996 |
Ret |
Jeannette McHugh |
48 |
ALP |
Phillip (NSW) Grayndler (NSW) |
5 Mar 1983 13 Mar 1993 |
until elected for 2 Mar 1996 |
Ret |
Helen Mayer |
50 |
ALP |
Chisholm (Vic) |
5 Mar 1983 |
11 Jul 1987 |
Def |
Carolyn Anne Jakobsen |
37 |
ALP |
Cowan (WA) |
1 Dec 1984 |
13 Mar 1993 |
Def |
Kathryn Jean Sullivan (Martin)† |
42 |
Lib |
Moncrieff (Qld) |
1 Dec 1984 |
10 Nov 2001 |
Ret |
Mary Catherine Crawford |
40 |
ALP |
Forde (Qld) |
11 Jul 1987 |
2 Mar 1996 |
Def |
Elizabeth Robyn Harvey |
40 |
ALP |
Hawker (SA) |
11 Jul 1987 |
24 Mar 1990 |
Def |
Frances Esther Bailey |
43 |
Lib |
McEwen (Vic) McEwen (Vic) |
24 Mar 1990 2 Mar 1996 |
13 Mar 1993 |
Def |
Janice Ann Crosio† |
51 |
ALP |
Prospect (NSW) |
24 Mar 1990 |
9 Oct 2004 |
Ret |
Christine Ann Gallus |
46 |
Lib |
Hawker (SA) Hindmarsh (SA) |
24 Mar 1990 13 Mar 1993 |
until elected for 9 Oct 2004 |
Ret |
Margaret Joan Deahm |
54 |
ALP |
Macquarie (NSW) |
13 Mar 1993 |
2 Mar 1996 |
Def |
Mary Louise Easson |
37 |
ALP |
Lowe (NSW) |
13 Mar 1993 |
2 Mar 1996 |
Def |
Marjorie Madeline Henzell |
44 |
ALP |
Capricornia (Qld) |
13 Mar 1993 |
2 Mar 1996 |
Def |
Judith Eleanor Moylan |
49 |
Lib |
Pearce (WA) |
13 Mar 1993 |
||
Silvia Joy Smith |
53 |
ALP |
Bass (Tas) |
13 Mar 1993 |
2 Mar 1996 |
Def |
Patricia Mary Worth |
46 |
Lib |
Adelaide (SA) |
13 Mar 1993 |
9 Oct 2004 |
Def |
Carmen Mary Lawrence† |
46 |
ALP |
Fremantle (WA) |
12 Mar 1994* |
24 Nov 2007 |
Ret |
Bronwyn Kathleen Bishop† |
51 |
Lib |
Mackellar (NSW) |
26 Mar 1994* |
||
Patricia Draper |
36 |
Lib |
Makin (SA) |
2 Mar 1996 |
24 Nov 2007 |
Ret |
Annette Louise Ellis† |
49 |
ALP |
Namadgi (ACT) Canberra (ACT) |
2 Mar 1996 3 Oct 1998 |
until elected for |
|
Kay Selma Elson |
49 |
Lib |
Forde (Qld) |
2 Mar 1996 |
24 Nov 2007 |
Ret |
Teresa Gambaro |
37 |
Lib |
Petrie (Qld) |
2 Mar 1996 |
24 Nov 2007 |
Def |
Joanna Gash |
51 |
Lib |
Gilmore (NSW) |
2 Mar 1996 |
||
Elizabeth Jane Grace |
55 |
Lib |
Lilley (Qld) |
2 Mar 1996 |
3 Oct 1998 |
Def |
Pauline Lee Hanson |
41 |
Ind |
Oxley (Qld) |
2 Mar 1996 |
3 Oct 1998 |
Def |
Susan Barbara Jeanes |
38 |
Lib |
Kingston (SA) |
2 Mar 1996 |
3Oct 1998 |
Def |
Henrike (Ricky) Johnston |
52 |
Lib |
Canning (WA) |
2 Mar 1996 |
3 Oct 1998 |
Def |
De-Anne Margaret Kelly |
41 |
NP |
Dawson (Qld) |
2 Mar 1996 |
24 Nov 2007 |
Def |
Jacqueline (Jackie) Marie Kelly‡ |
32 |
Lib |
Lindsay (NSW) Lindsay (NSW) |
2 Mar 1996 19 Oct 1996* |
11 Sep 1996 24 Nov 2007 |
Dis Ret |
Jennifer Louise Macklin |
42 |
ALP |
Jagajaga (Vic) |
2 Mar 1996 |
||
Sharman Nancy Stone |
44 |
Lib |
Murray (Vic) |
2 Mar 1996 |
||
Danna Sue Vale |
51 |
Lib |
Hughes (NSW) |
2 Mar 1996 |
||
Andrea Gail West |
43 |
Lib |
Bowman (Qld) |
2 Mar 1996 |
3 Oct 1998 |
Def |
Julie Isabel Bishop |
47 |
Lib |
Curtin (WA) |
3 Oct 1998 |
||
Anna Elizabeth Burke |
32 |
ALP |
Chisholm (Vic) |
3 Oct 1998 |
||
Jane Frances Gerick |
32 |
ALP |
Canning (WA) |
3 Oct 1998 |
10 Nov 2001 |
Def |
Julia Eileen Gillard |
37 |
ALP |
Lalor (Vic) |
3 Oct 1998 |
||
Jill Griffiths Hall† |
48 |
ALP |
Shortland (NSW) |
3 Oct 1998 |
||
Kelly Joy Hoare |
35 |
ALP |
Charlton (NSW) |
3 Oct 1998 |
24 Nov 2007 |
Ret |
Kay Elizabeth Hull |
44 |
NP |
Riverina (NSW) |
3 Oct 1998 |
||
Julia Claire Irwin |
47 |
ALP |
Fowler (NSW) |
3 Oct 1998 |
||
Cheryl Kernot† |
49 |
ALP |
Dickson (Qld) |
3 Oct 1998 |
10 Nov 2001 |
Def |
Kirsten Fiona Livermore |
28 |
ALP |
Capricornia |
3 Oct 1998 |
||
Margaret Ann May |
48 |
Lib |
McPherson (Qld) |
3 Oct 1998 |
||
Jann Sonya McFarlane |
54 |
ALP |
Stirling (WA) |
3 Oct 1998 |
9 Oct 2004 |
Def |
Michelle Anne O’Byrne† |
30 |
ALP |
Bass (Tas) |
3 Oct 1998 |
9 Oct 2004 |
Def |
Tanya Joan Plibersek |
28 |
ALP |
Sydney (NSW) |
3 Oct 1998 |
||
Nicola Louise Roxon |
31 |
ALP |
Gellibrand (Vic) |
3 Oct 1998 |
||
Ann Kathleen Corcoran |
48 |
ALP |
Isaacs (Vic) |
12 Aug 2000* |
24 Nov 2007 |
Ret |
Leonie Margaret Short |
45 |
ALP |
Ryan (Qld) |
17 Mar 2001* |
10 Nov 2001 |
Def |
Jennie George |
54 |
ALP |
Throsby (NSW) |
10 Nov 2001 |
||
Sharon Joy Grierson |
50 |
ALP |
Newcastle (NSW) |
10 Nov 2001 |
||
Sharryn Maree Jackson |
39 |
ALP |
Hasluck (WA) Hasluck (WA) |
10 Nov 2001 24 Nov 2007 |
9 Oct 2004 |
Def |
Catherine Fiona King |
35 |
ALP |
Ballarat (Vic) |
10 Nov 2001 |
||
Sussan Penelope Ley |
39 |
Lib |
Farrer (NSW) |
10 Nov 2001 |
||
Sophie Panopoulos (later Mirabella) |
33 |
Lib |
Indi (Vic) |
10 Nov 2001 |
||
Maria Vamvakinou |
42 |
ALP |
Calwell (Vic) |
10 Nov 2001 |
||
Sharon Leah Bird |
41 |
ALP |
Cunningham (NSW) |
9 Oct 2004 |
||
Justine Maria Elliot |
37 |
ALP |
Richmond (NSW) |
9 Oct 2004 |
||
Katherine (Kate) Margaret Ellis |
27 |
ALP |
Adelaide (SA) |
9 Oct 2004 |
||
Louise Elizabeth Markus |
46 |
Lib |
Greenway (NSW) |
9 Oct 2004 |
||
Julie Ann Owens |
45 |
ALP |
Parramatta (NSW) |
9 Oct 2004 |
||
Jodie Louise Campbell |
35 |
ALP |
Bass (Tas) |
24 Nov 2007 |
||
Julie Maree Collins |
36 |
ALP |
Franklin (Tas) |
24 Nov 2007 |
||
Yvette Maree D’Ath |
37 |
ALP |
Petrie (Qld) |
24 Nov 2007 |
||
Maxine Margaret McKew |
54 |
ALP |
Bennelong (NSW) |
24 Nov 2007 |
||
Nola Bethwyn Marino |
53 |
Lib |
Forrest (WA) |
24 Nov 2007 |
||
Belinda Jane Neal† |
44 |
ALP |
Robertson (NSW) |
24 Nov 2007 |
||
Melissa Parke |
41 |
ALP |
Fremantle (WA) |
24 Nov 2007 |
||
Kerry Marie Rea |
44 |
ALP |
Bonner (Qld) |
24 Nov 2007 |
||
Amanda Louise Rishworth |
29 |
ALP |
Kingston (SA) |
24 Nov 2007 |
||
Janelle Anne Saffin† |
53 |
ALP |
Page (NSW) |
24 Nov 2007 |
* by-election
† see Table 2 for list of women who have been members of more than one Australian House of Parliament
‡ Jackie Kelly: disqualified on 11 Sep 1996; re-elected at by-election on 19 Oct 1996
(date in brackets indicates when term commenced)
Name |
Age |
Party |
State |
Date elected |
Left Parliament |
Why |
(Dame) Dorothy Margaret Tangney |
32 |
ALP |
WA |
21 Aug 1943 |
30 Jun1968 |
Def |
(Dame) Annabelle Jane Mary Rankin |
38 |
Lib |
Qld |
28 Sep 1946 (1 Jul 1947) |
24 May 1971 |
Res |
Agnes Robertson Robertson |
67 |
Lib;CP± |
WA |
10 Dec 1949 (22 Feb 1950) |
30 Jun1962 |
Ret |
(Dame) Ivy Evelyn Wedgwood |
53 |
Lib |
Vic |
10 Dec 1949 (22 Feb 1950) |
30 Jun1971 |
Ret |
Nancy Eileen Buttfield |
42 |
Lib |
SA |
11 Oct 1955* 25 Nov 1967 (1 Jul 1968) |
30 Jun1965 11 Apr 1974 |
Def Ret |
(Dame) Marie Freda Breen |
59 |
Lib |
Vic |
9 Dec 1961 (1 Jul 1962) |
30 Jun1968 |
Ret |
(Dame) Margaret Georgina Constance Guilfoyle |
44 |
Lib |
Vic |
21 Nov 1970 (1 Jul 1971) |
11 Jul 1987 |
Ret |
Ruth Nancy Coleman |
42 |
ALP |
WA |
18 May 1974 |
11 Jul 1987 |
Ret |
Kathryn Jean Martin (Sullivan)† |
32 |
Lib |
Qld |
18 May 1974 |
5 Nov 1984 |
Res |
Jean Isabel Melzer |
48 |
ALP |
Vic |
18 May 1974 |
30 Jun1981 |
Def |
Susan Maree Ryan |
33 |
ALP |
ACT |
13 Dec 1975 |
29 Jan 1988 |
Res |
Mary (Shirley) Walters |
50 |
Lib |
Tas |
13 Dec 1975 |
30 Jun1993 |
Ret |
Janine Haines |
32 |
AD |
SA |
14 Dec 1977* 18 Oct 1980 (1 Jul 1981) |
30 Jun1978 1 Mar 1990 |
Ret Res |
Jean Margaret Hearn |
59 |
ALP |
Tas |
15 Oct 1980* |
30 Jun1985 |
Ret |
Florence Isabel Bjelke-Petersen |
60 |
NP |
Qld |
18 Oct 1980 (12 Mar 1981) |
30 Jun1993 |
Ret |
Margaret Elizabeth Reid |
45 |
Lib |
ACT |
5 May 1981* |
14 Feb 2003 |
Res |
Patricia Jessie Giles |
51 |
ALP |
WA |
18 Oct 1980 (1 Jul 1981) |
30 Jun1993 |
Ret |
Rosemary Anne Crowley |
44 |
ALP |
SA |
5 Mar 1983 |
30 Jun 2002 |
Ret |
Margaret Reynolds |
41 |
ALP |
Qld |
5 Mar 1983 |
30 Jun 1999 |
Ret |
Alice Olive Zakharov |
53 |
ALP |
Vic |
5 Mar 1983 |
6 Mar 1995 |
Died |
Susan Christine Knowles |
33 |
Lib |
WA |
1 Dec 1984 |
30 Jun 2005 |
Ret |
Amanda Eloise Vanstone |
31 |
Lib |
SA |
1 Dec 1984 |
26 Apr 2007 |
Res |
Josephine (Jo) Vallentine |
38 |
NDP; Ind; GWA± |
WA |
1 Dec 1984 (1 Jul 1985) |
31 Jan 1992 |
Res |
Jocelyn Margaret Newman |
48 |
Lib |
Tas |
13 Mar 1986* |
1 Feb 2002 |
Res |
Janet Frances Powell |
43 |
AD |
Vic |
26 Aug 1986* |
30 Jun1993 |
Def |
Suzanne Margaret West |
39 |
ALP |
NSW |
11 Feb 1987* 24 Mar 1990 (1 Jul 1990) |
11 Jul 1987 30 Jun 2002 |
Def Ret |
Bronwyn Kathleen Bishop† |
44 |
Lib |
NSW |
11 Jul 1987 |
24 Feb 1994 |
Res |
Jean Alice Jenkins |
49 |
AD |
WA |
11 Jul 1987 |
30 Jun1990 |
Def |
Kay Christine Lesley Patterson |
42 |
Lib |
Vic |
11 Jul 1987 |
30 Jun 2008 |
Ret |
Patricia Irene (Irina) Dunn |
40c |
NDP; Ind ± |
NSW |
21 Jul 1988* |
30 Jun1990 |
Def |
Victoria Worrall Bourne |
35 |
AD |
NSW |
24 Mar 1990 (1 Jul 1990) |
30 Jun 2002 |
Def |
Cheryl Kernot† |
38 |
AD |
Qld |
24 Mar 1990 (1 Jul 1990) |
15 Oct 1997 |
Res |
Meg Heather Lees |
41 |
AD |
SA |
4 April 1990* |
30 Jun 2005 |
Def |
Karen Nicole Sowada |
29 |
AD |
NSW |
29 Aug 1991* |
30 Jun1993 |
Def |
Christabel Marguerite Alain Chamarette |
43 |
GWA |
WA |
12 Mar 1992* |
30 Jun1996 |
Def |
Diane (Dee) Elizabeth Margetts† |
38 |
GWA |
WA |
13 Mar 1993 (1 Jul 1993) |
30 Jun 1999 |
Def |
Judith Mary Troeth |
52 |
Lib |
Vic |
13 Mar 1993 (1 Jul 1993) |
||
Kay Janet Denman |
56 |
ALP |
Tas |
24 Aug 1993* |
30 Jun 2005 |
Ret |
Belinda Jane Neal† |
31 |
ALP |
NSW |
8 Mar 1994* |
3 Sep 1998 |
Res |
Jacinta Mary Ann Collins |
32 |
ALP |
Vic |
3 May 1995* 24 Nov 2007 (8 May 2008) |
30 Jun 2005 |
Def |
Natasha Jessica Stott Despoja |
26 |
AD |
SA |
29 Nov 1995* |
30 Jun 2008 |
Ret |
Kate Alexandra Lundy |
28 |
ALP |
ACT |
2 Mar 1996 |
||
Susan Mary Mackay |
35 |
ALP |
Tas |
2 Mar 1996 (8 Mar 1996) |
29 Jul 2005 |
Res |
Lynette (Lyn) Fay Allison |
49 |
AD |
Vic |
2 Mar 1996 (1 Jul 1996) |
30 Jun 2008 |
Def |
Helen Coonan |
48 |
Lib |
NSW |
2 Mar 1996 (1 Jul 1996) |
||
Jeannie Ferris‡ |
54 |
Lib |
SA |
2 Mar 1996 (1 Jul 1996) 24 Jul 1996* |
12 Jul 1996 2 Apr 2007 |
Dis Died |
Brenda Gibbs |
48 |
ALP |
Qld |
2 Mar 1996 (1 Jul 1996) |
30 Jun 2002 |
Def |
Marise Ann Payne |
32 |
Lib |
NSW |
9 Apr 1997* |
||
Karen Margaret Synon |
39 |
Lib |
Vic |
13 May 1997* |
30 Jun 1999 |
Def |
Patricia (Trish) Margaret Crossin |
42 |
ALP |
NT |
16 Jun 1998* |
||
Jan Elizabeth McLucas |
41 |
ALP |
Qld |
3 Oct 1998 (1 Jul 1999) |
||
Linda Jean Kirk |
35 |
ALP |
SA |
10 Nov 2001 (1 Jul 2002) |
30 Jun 2008 |
Ret |
Claire Mary Moore |
46 |
ALP |
Qld |
10 Nov 2001 (1 Jul 2002) |
||
Kerry Michelle Nettle |
28 |
Grn |
NSW |
10 Nov 2001 (1 Jul 2002) |
30 Jun 2008 |
Def |
Ursula Mary Stephens |
47 |
ALP |
NSW |
10 Nov 2001 (1 Jul 2002) |
||
Ruth Stephanie Webber |
37 |
ALP |
WA |
10 Nov 2001 (1 Jul 2002) |
30 Jun 2008 |
Def |
Penny Ying Yen Wong |
33 |
ALP |
SA |
10 Nov 2001 (1 Jul 2002) |
||
Concetta (Connie) Anna Fierravanti-Wells |
44 |
Lib |
NSW |
9 Oct 2004 (5 May 2005)* |
||
Judith Anne Adams |
58 |
Lib |
WA |
9 Oct 2004 (1 Jul 2005) |
||
Annette Kay Hurley† |
50c |
ALP |
SA |
9 Oct 2004 (1 Jul 2005) |
||
Ann McEwen |
50 |
ALP |
Qld |
9 Oct 2004 (1 Jul 2005) |
||
Christine Anne Milne† |
52 |
Grn |
Tas |
9 Oct 2004 (1 Jul 2005) |
||
Fiona Joy Nash |
39 |
Nats |
NSW |
9 Oct 2004 (1 Jul 2005) |
||
Helen Beatrice Polley |
48 |
ALP |
Tas |
9 Oct 2004 (1 Jul 2005) |
||
Rachel Mary Siewert |
43 |
Grn |
WA |
9 Oct 2004 (1 Jul 2005) |
||
Dana Wortley |
46c |
ALP |
SA |
9 Oct 2004 (1 Jul 2005) |
||
Carol Louise Brown |
42 |
ALP |
Tas |
25 Aug 2005* |
||
Suzanne (Sue) Kay Boyce |
56 |
Lib |
Qld |
19 Apr 2007* |
||
Mary Jo Fisher |
44 |
Lib |
SA |
6 Jun 2007* |
||
Catryna Louise Bilyk |
49 |
ALP |
Tas |
24 Nov 2007 (1 Jul 2008) |
||
Michaelia Clare Cash |
37 |
Lib |
WA |
24 Nov 2007 (1 Jul 2008) |
||
Sarah Coral Hanson-Young |
26 |
Grn |
SA |
24 Nov 2007 (1 Jul 2008) |
||
Helen Evelyn Kroger |
49 |
Lib |
Vic |
24 Nov 2007 (1 Jul 2008) |
||
Louise Clare Pratt† |
36 |
ALP |
WA |
24 Nov 2007 (1 Jul 2008) |
* casual vacancy
† see Table 2 for list of women who have been members of more than one Australian House of Parliament
‡ Jeannie Ferris: resigned on 12 Jul 1996 (her eligibility in question); chosen by SA Parliament to fill that casual vacancy on 24 Jul 1996
± Agnes Robertson: Lib; Country Party from 1955
± Irina Dunn: NDP; Independent Senator for Nuclear Disarmament from 22 Aug 1988
± Jo Vallentine: NDP; Independent Senator for Nuclear Disarmament from 17 May 1985; GWA from 1 Jul 1990
[1] . David Black, Women parliamentarians in Australia 1921–1996: a register of women members of Commonwealth, State and Territory Parliaments in Australia, Western Australian Parliamentary History Project, Perth, 1996.
For copyright reasons some linked items are only available to members of Parliament.