Women in Federal Parliament over the 20th Century

Women recieved the right to vote/stand for parliament

Jun 15, 1902

Women revieved the right to vote in the Federal Parliament and also stand for roles.

First woman for the Labour Party

Sep 24, 1943

Dorothy Tangney was the first woman in Parliament in the Labour Party.

First Woman in Federal Parlament

Sep 29, 1943

The first woman elected into Federal Parliament was Enid Lyons and she was elected to the Tasmanian seat of Darwin in 1943. she was a member of the Liberal Party.

First Female Minister

Jun 15, 1966

Senator Annabelle Rankin (Liberal) is appointed as Minister for Housing, becoming the first woman minister in the Commonwealth Parliament.

First woman speaker

Jun 15, 1986

Joan Child (Labour) becomes the first woman Speaker in the House of Representatives

First woman to lead a Political Party

Jun 15, 1986

Senator Janine Haines becomes the first woman to lead an Australian political party, she called it the Australian Democrats.

First woman president of the senate

Jul 2, 1996

Senator Margaret Reid (Liberal) becomes the first woman elected as President of the Senate