Women in the Queensland Legislative Assembly

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There have been 97 women in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland since its establishment in 1860. Women have had the right to vote in the Assembly since 1905 and the right to stand as candidates since 1915.

The first successful female candidate for the Legislative Assembly was Irene Longman, who was elected as the member for Bulimba in 1929 representing the Country and Progressive National Party. She was defeated in 1932, and women were not represented again until 1966, when Labor's Vi Jordan won the seat of Ipswich West. Although Jordan was defeated in 1974, that year also saw two more women, Vicky Kippin of the National Party and Rosemary Kyburz of the Liberal Party, enter parliament.

1989 was considered a breakthrough year for women in the Queensland Parliament, as previously only 11 women had sat in the parliament.[1] The first female minister was Yvonne Chapman in 1986. In 1991, Joan Sheldon became the first woman to lead a Party, and in 1996, she became the first woman Treasurer. In 2012, Fiona Simpson became the first woman Speaker. The first non-major party woman, independent Liz Cunningham, was elected as the member for Gladstone in 1995. Since then, four other women, Dorothy Pratt, Rosa Lee Long, Elisa Roberts, and Sandy Bolton have won seats for non-major parties or as independents. Pratt, Lee Long and Roberts were originally elected for One Nation, although Pratt and Roberts subsequently retained their seats as independents. Only two Indigenous Australian women, Leeanne Enoch (2015) and Cynthia Lui (2017), have been elected to the Queensland parliament.[2]

Anna Bligh was the first woman to become Premier, succeeding Peter Beattie in 2007. In 2009 she became the first woman in Australia to win an election as Premier. In 2015, the two highest ministers in the Queensland government were both women with Annastacia Palaszczuk as Premier and Jackie Trad as Deputy Premier, the second in Australian political history. Palaszczuk was also the first woman to lead an opposition into government. The Palaszczuk Ministry was the first female dominated government in Australian history with 8 out of the 14 ministers being women.

Although women have been Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly since 1966, they are still under-represented as a proportion compared to men. In 2001, Queensland held the record for the proportion of women in the parliament with 33 out of 89 members (37%) being women.[3] Since then the proportion of women have fallen. There were 25 women out of 89 members (28%) in the 2015 Queensland Parliament.[1]

List of women in the Queensland Legislative Assembly[]

Names in bold indicate women who have been appointed as Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries during their time in Parliament. Names in italics indicate women who were first elected at a by-election.

# Name Party Electoral Division Period of service
1 Irene Longman Progressive Nationalist Bulimba 11 May 1929 – 11 June 1932 (defeated)
2 Vi Jordan Labor Ipswich West 28 May 1966 – 7 December 1974 (defeated)
3 Vicky Kippin National Mourilyan 7 December 1974 – 29 November 1980 (defeated)
Rosemary Kyburz Liberal Salisbury 7 December 1974 – 22 October 1983 (defeated)
5 Beryce Nelson Liberal/National Aspley 29 November 1980 – 22 October 1983 (resigned)
1 November 1986 – 2 December 1989 (defeated)
6 Yvonne Chapman National Pine Rivers 22 October 1983 – 2 December 1989 (defeated)
Anne Warner Labor Kurilpa
South Brisbane
22 October 1983 – 15 July 1995 (retired)
8 Leisha Harvey National Greenslopes 22 October 1983 – 2 December 1989 (defeated)
9 Di McCauley National Callide 1 November 1986 – 13 June 1998 (retired)
10 Judy Gamin National South Coast
Burleigh
28 August 1988 – 2 December 1989 (defeated)
19 September 1992 – 17 February 2001 (defeated)
11 Lorraine Bird Labor Whitsunday 2 December 1989 – 13 June 1998 (defeated)
Lesley Clark Labor Barron River 2 December 1989 – 15 July 1995 (defeated)
13 June 1998 – 9 September 2006 (retired)
Wendy Edmond Labor Mount Coot-tha 2 December 1989 – 7 February 2004 (retired)
Laurel Power Labor Mansfield 2 December 1989 – 15 July 1995 (defeated)
Molly Robson Labor Springwood 2 December 1989 – 15 July 1995 (defeated)
Judy Spence Labor Mount Gravatt
Sunnybank
2 December 1989 – 24 March 2012 (retired)
Margaret Woodgate Labor Pine Rivers
Kurwongbah
2 December 1989 – 17 March 1997 (resigned)
18 Joan Sheldon Liberal Landsborough
Caloundra
28 July 1990 – 7 February 2004 (retired)
19 Merri Rose Labor Currumbin 19 September 1992 – 7 February 2004 (defeated)
Fiona Simpson National/Liberal National Maroochydore 19 September 1992 –
21 Anna Bligh Labor South Brisbane 15 July 1995 – 30 March 2012 (resigned)
Liz Cunningham Independent Gladstone 15 July 1995 – 31 January 2015 (retired)
Lyn Warwick Liberal Barron River 15 July 1995 – 13 June 1998 (defeated)
Naomi Wilson National Mulgrave 15 July 1995 – 13 June 1998 (defeated)
25 Linda Lavarch Labor Kurwongbah 24 May 1997 – 20 March 2009 (retired)
26 Julie Attwood Labor Mount Ommaney 13 June 1998 – 24 March 2012 (retired)
Desley Boyle Labor Cairns 13 June 1998 – 24 March 2012 (retired)
Nita Cunningham Labor Bundaberg 13 June 1998 – 14 August 2006 (retired)
Lindy Nelson-Carr Labor Mundingburra 13 June 1998 – 24 March 2012 (retired)
Dorothy Pratt One Nation/Independent Barambah
Nanango
13 June 1998 – 24 March 2012 (retired)
Karen Struthers Labor Archerfield
Algester
13 June 1998 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
32 Jo-Ann Miller Labor Bundamba 5 February 2000 – 20 February 2020 (resigned)
33 Bonny Barry Labor Aspley 17 February 2001 – 20 March 2009 (defeated)
Liddy Clark Labor Clayfield 17 February 2001 – 9 September 2006 (defeated)
Peta-Kaye Croft Labor Broadwater 17 February 2001 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
Jan Jarratt Labor Whitsunday 17 February 2001 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
Margaret Keech Labor Albert 17 February 2001 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
Rosa Lee Long One Nation Tablelands 17 February 2001 – 20 March 2009 (defeated)
Carolyn Male Labor Glass House
Pine Rivers
17 February 2001 – 24 March 2012 (retired)
Cate Molloy Labor/Independent Noosa 17 February 2001 – 9 September 2006 (defeated)
Rachel Nolan Labor Ipswich 17 February 2001 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
Anita Phillips Labor Thuringowa 17 February 2001 – 7 February 2004 (retired)
Dianne Reilly Labor Mudgeeraba 17 February 2001 – 20 March 2009 (defeated)
Elisa Roberts One Nation/Independent Gympie 17 February 2001 – 9 September 2006 (defeated)
Christine Scott Labor Charters Towers 17 February 2001 – 7 February 2004 (defeated)
Desley Scott Labor Woodridge 17 February 2001 – 31 January 2015 (retired)
Christine Smith Labor Burleigh 17 February 2001 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
Barbara Stone Labor Springwood 17 February 2001 – 24 March 2012 (defeated
Carryn Sullivan Labor Pumicestone 17 February 2001 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
50 Rosemary Menkens National/Liberal National Burdekin 7 February 2004 – 31 January 2015 (retired)
Jann Stuckey Liberal/Liberal National Currumbin 7 February 2004 – 1 February 2020 (resigned)
52 Vicky Darling Labor Sandgate 9 September 2006 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
Kate Jones Labor Ashgrove
Cooper
9 September 2006 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
31 January 2015 – 31 October 2020 (retired)
Betty Kiernan Labor Mount Isa 9 September 2006 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
Annastacia Palaszczuk Labor Inala 9 September 2006 –
Lillian van Litsenburg Labor Redcliffe 9 September 2006 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
57 Grace Grace Labor Brisbane Central
McConnel
13 October 2007 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
31 January 2015 –
58 Ros Bates Liberal National Mudgeeraba 21 March 2009 –
Tracy Davis Liberal National Aspley 21 March 2009 – 25 November 2017 (defeated)
Di Farmer Labor Bulimba 21 March 2009 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
31 January 2015 –
Mandy Johnstone Labor Townsville 21 March 2009 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
Mary-Anne O'Neill Labor Kallangur 21 March 2009 – 24 March 2012 (defeated)
63 Verity Barton Liberal National Broadwater 24 March 2012 – 25 November 2017 (retired)
Lisa France Liberal National Pumicestone 24 March 2012 – 31 January 2015 (defeated)
Deb Frecklington Liberal National Nanango 24 March 2012 –
Anne Maddern Liberal National Maryborough 24 March 2012 – 31 January 2015 (defeated)
Kerry Millard Liberal National Sandgate 24 March 2012 – 31 January 2015 (defeated)
Freya Ostapovitch Liberal National Stretton 24 March 2012 – 31 January 2015 (defeated)
Saxon Rice Liberal National Mount Coot-tha 24 March 2012 – 31 January 2015 (defeated)
Tarnya Smith Liberal National Mount Ommaney 24 March 2012 – 25 November 2017 (defeated)
71 Jackie Trad Labor South Brisbane 28 April 2012 – 31 October 2020 (defeated)
72 Yvette D'Ath Labor Redcliffe 22 February 2014 –
73 Nikki Boyd Labor Pine Rivers 31 January 2015 –
Leanne Donaldson Labor Bundaberg 31 January 2015 – 25 November 2017 (defeated)
Leeanne Enoch Labor Algester 31 January 2015 –
Shannon Fentiman Labor Waterford 31 January 2015 –
Julieanne Gilbert Labor Mackay 31 January 2015 –
Jennifer Howard Labor Ipswich 31 January 2015 –
Brittany Lauga Labor Keppel 31 January 2015 –
Ann Leahy Liberal National Warrego 31 January 2015 –
Leanne Linard Labor Nudgee 31 January 2015 –
Coralee O'Rourke Labor Mundingburra 31 January 2015 – 31 October 2020 (retired)
Joan Pease Labor Lytton 31 January 2015 –
84 Sandy Bolton Independent Noosa 25 November 2017 –
Cynthia Lui Labor Cook 25 November 2017 –
Melissa McMahon Labor Macalister 25 November 2017 –
Corrine McMillan Labor Mansfield 25 November 2017 –
Charis Mullen Labor Jordan 25 November 2017 –
Jess Pugh Labor Mount Ommaney 25 November 2017 –
Kim Richards Labor Redlands 25 November 2017 –
Meaghan Scanlon Labor Gaven 25 November 2017 –
Simone Wilson Liberal National Pumicestone 25 November 2017 – 31 October 2020 (retired)
93 Laura Gerber Liberal National Currumbin 28 March 2020 –
94 Jonty Bush Labor Cooper 31 October 2020 –
Amanda Camm Liberal National Whitsunday 31 October 2020 –
Ali King Labor Pumicestone 31 October 2020 –
Amy MacMahon Greens South Brisbane 31 October 2020 –

Timeline[]

Amy MacMahonAli KingAmanda CammJonty BushLaura GerberSimone Wilson (politician)Meaghan ScanlonKim Richards (politician)Jess PughCharis MullenCorrine McMillanMelissa McMahonCynthia LuiSandy BoltonJoan PeaseCoralee O'RourkeLeanne LinardAnn LeahyBrittany LaugaJennifer Howard (Australian politician)Julieanne GilbertShannon FentimanLeeanne EnochLeanne DonaldsonNikki BoydYvette D'AthJackie TradTarnya SmithSaxon RiceFreya OstapovitchKerry MillardAnne MaddernDeb FrecklingtonLisa FranceVerity BartonMary-Anne O'NeillMandy JohnstoneDi FarmerTracy DavisRos BatesGrace GraceLillian van LitsenburgAnnastacia PalaszczukBetty KiernanKate JonesVicky DarlingJann StuckeyRosemary MenkensCarryn SullivanBarbara StoneChristine Smith (politician)Desley ScottChristine ScottElisa RobertsDianne ReillyAnita PhillipsRachel NolanCate MolloyCarolyn MaleRosa Lee LongMargaret KeechJan JarrattPeta-Kaye CroftLiddy ClarkBonny BarryJo-Ann MillerKaren StruthersDorothy PrattLindy Nelson-CarrNita CunninghamDesley BoyleJulie AttwoodLinda LavarchNaomi WilsonLyn WarwickLiz CunninghamAnna BlighFiona SimpsonMerri RoseJoan SheldonMargaret WoodgateJudy SpenceMolly RobsonLaurel PowerWendy EdmondLesley ClarkLorraine BirdJudy GaminDi McCauleyAnne Warner (politician)Leisha HarveyYvonne ChapmanBeryce NelsonRosemary KyburzVicky KippinVi JordanIrene Longman

Proportion of women in the Assembly[]

Numbers and proportions are as they were directly after the relevant election and do not take into account by-elections, defections or other changes in membership. The Liberal column also includes that party's predecessors, the Country and Progressive National, United Australia and People's parties, as well as the successor of both the Liberal and National parties, the Liberal National Party.

Term Labor Liberal National Others Total
Women Total % Women Total % Women Total % Women Total % Women Total %
1929–1932 0 27 0.0% 1 43 2.3% 0 0 0.0% 0 2 0.0% 1 72 1.4%
1932–1935 0 33 0.0% 0 28 0.0% 0 0 0.0% 0 1 0.0% 0 62 0.0%
1935–1938 0 46 0.0% 0 16 0.0% 0 0 0.0% 0 0 0.0% 0 62 0.0%
1938–1941 0 44 0.0% 0 4 0.0% 0 13 0.0% 0 1 0.0% 0 62 0.0%
1941–1944 0 41 0.0% 0 4 0.0% 0 14 0.0% 0 3 0.0% 0 62 0.0%
1944–1947 0 37 0.0% 0 7 0.0% 0 12 0.0% 0 6 0.0% 0 62 0.0%
1947–1950 0 35 0.0% 0 9 0.0% 0 14 0.0% 0 4 0.0% 0 62 0.0%
1950–1953 0 42 0.0% 0 11 0.0% 0 20 0.0% 0 2 0.0% 0 75 0.0%
1953–1956 0 50 0.0% 0 8 0.0% 0 15 0.0% 0 2 0.0% 0 75 0.0%
1956–1957 0 49 0.0% 0 8 0.0% 0 16 0.0% 0 2 0.0% 0 75 0.0%
1957–1960 0 20 0.0% 0 18 0.0% 0 24 0.0% 0 13 0.0% 0 75 0.0%
1960–1963 0 25 0.0% 0 20 0.0% 0 26 0.0% 0 7 0.0% 0 78 0.0%
1963–1966 0 26 0.0% 0 20 0.0% 0 26 0.0% 0 6 0.0% 0 78 0.0%
1966–1969 1 26 3.8% 0 20 0.0% 0 27 0.0% 0 5 0.0% 1 78 1.3%
1969–1972 1 31 3.2% 0 19 0.0% 0 26 0.0% 0 2 0.0% 1 78 1.3%
1972–1974 1 33 3.0% 0 21 0.0% 0 26 0.0% 0 2 0.0% 1 82 1.2%
1974–1977 0 11 0.0% 1 30 3.3% 1 39 2.6% 0 2 0.0% 2 82 2.4%
1977–1980 0 23 0.0% 1 24 4.2% 1 35 2.9% 0 0 0.0% 2 82 2.4%
1980–1983 0 25 0.0% 2 22 9.1% 0 35 0.0% 0 0 0.0% 2 82 2.4%
1983–1986 1 32 3.1% 0 8 0.0% 2 41 4.9% 0 1 0.0% 3 82 3.7%
1986–1989 1 30 3.3% 0 10 0.0% 4 49 6.1% 0 0 0.0% 5 89 5.6%
1989–1992 8 54 14.8% 0 8 0.0% 1 27 3.7% 0 0 0.0% 9 89 10.1%
1992–1995 9 54 16.7% 1 9 11.1% 3 26 11.5% 0 0 0.0% 13 89 14.6%
1995–1998 6 45 13.3% 2 14 14.2% 4 29 13.7% 1 1 100.0% 13 89 14.6%
1998–2001 11 44 25.0% 1 9 11.1% 2 23 8.7% 2 13 15.3% 16 89 18.0%
2001–2004 27 66 40.9% 1 3 33.3% 1 12 8.3% 4 8 50.0% 33 89 37.1%
2004–2006 23 63 36.5% 1 5 20.0% 2 15 13.3% 4 6 66.7% 30 89 33.7%
2006–2009 24 59 40.7% 1 8 12.5% 2 17 11.8% 3 5 60.0% 30 89 33.7%
2009–2012 25 51 49.0% 5 34 14.7% 0 0 0.0% 2 4 50.0% 32 89 36.0%
2012–2015 4 7 57.1% 13 78 16.7% 0 0 0.0% 1 4 25.0% 18 89 20.2%
2015–2017 17 44 38.6% 8 42 19.0% 0 0 0.0% 0 3 0.0% 25 89 28.1%
2017–2020 23 48 47.9% 6 39 15.4% 0 0 0.0% 1 6 16.7% 30 93 32.3%
2020 21 52 40.4% 6 34 17.6% 0 0 0.0% 2 7 28.6% 29 93 31.2%

See also[]

  • Women and government in Australia

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Women in the Queensland Parliament, 1860–present" (PDF). Queensland Parliament. July 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  2. ^ Higgins, Isabella (29 November 2017). "New Torres Strait Islander MP Cynthia Lui aims to inspire next generation of Indigenous politicians". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Achievements and milestones for Queensland women: About Queensland and its government". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
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