Women in the Victorian Legislative Assembly

There have been 98 women in the Victorian Legislative Assembly since its establishment in 1856. Women have had the right to vote in Victoria, Australia since 1908 and the right to stand as a candidate for the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 1923.

The first successful female candidate for the Legislative Assembly was Millie Peacock, who was elected as a United Australia Party member for Allandale in a by-election in 1933, but she retired in 1935, stating that Parliament was "no place for a woman". Ivy Weber was the first woman to win a seat at a general election, winning Nunawading as an independent in 1937 (she was also the first female independent elected in Australia). She was joined in 1938 by Fanny Brownbill, Labor's first female member, elected at a by-election for the seat of Geelong. Weber resigned in 1943 and Brownbill died in 1948, after which there were no women in the Assembly until 1967, when Dorothy Goble was elected as the Liberal member for Mitcham. Since then there have continuously been female members in the Assembly.

The first female minister was Labor's Pauline Toner, who became a minister in 1982. Since then, the number of female members has continued to rise. Jeanette Powell was the first National Party member, elected to the Assembly in 2002. That election also brought 11 new Labor women into the Assembly. Since Ivy Weber, two other women, Susan Davies and Suzanna Sheed, have been elected to the Assembly as independents. Ellen Sandell was one of the two Greens candidates first elected to the Assembly at the 2014 state election.

Judy Maddigan became the first female Speaker in 2003. Since then, two other women, Jenny Lindell and Christine Fyffe, have served as Speaker.

List of women in the Victorian Legislative Assembly

Names in bold indicate women who have been appointed as Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries during their time in Parliament. Names in italics indicate women who were first elected at a by-election, and * symbolises members that have sat as members in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.

# Name Party Electoral Division Period of service
1 Millie, Lady Peacock UAP Allandale 1 November 1933 1 February 1935 (retired)
2 Ivy Weber Independent Nunawading 2 October 1937 18 July 1943 (resigned)
3 Fanny Brownbill Labor Geelong 11 June 1938 10 October 1948 (died)
4 Dorothy Goble Liberal Mitcham 29 April 1967 19 March 1976 (retired)
5 Jeannette Patrick Liberal Brighton 20 March 1976 24 January 1985 (retired)
6 Pauline Toner Labor Greensborough 5 November 1977 28 February 1989 (resigned)
7 Joan Chambers Liberal Ballarat South 5 May 1979 1 February 1982 (defeated)
8 Valerie Callister Labor Morwell 27 June 1981 30 September 1988 (retired)
9 Prue Sibree Liberal Kew 15 August 1981 1 February 1988 (resigned)
10 Jane Hill Labor Frankston
Frankston North
3 April 1982 1 March 1985
2 March 1985 3 October 1992 (retired)
Margaret Ray Labor Box Hill 3 April 1982 3 October 1992 (defeated)
Kay Setches Labor Ringwood 3 April 1982 3 October 1992 (retired)
13 Beth Gleeson Labor Thomastown 2 March 1985 16 December 1989 (died)
Carolyn Hirsh* Labor Wantirna 2 March 1985 3 October 1992 (defeated)
Jan Wilson Labor Dandenong North 2 March 1985 18 September 1999 (retired)
16 Jan Wade Liberal Kew 19 March 1988 17 September 1999 (retired)
17 Ann Barker Labor Bentleigh
Oakleigh
1 October 1988 3 October 1992 (defeated)
18 September 1999 29 November 2014 (retired)
Joan Kirner* Labor Williamstown 1 October 1988 27 May 1994 (resigned)
19 Sherryl Garbutt Labor Greensborough
Bundoora
15 April 1989 2 October 1992
3 October 1992 24 November 2006 (retired)
20 Lorraine Elliott Liberal Mooroolbark 3 October 1992 30 November 2002 (retired)
Ann Henderson Liberal Geelong 3 October 1992 18 September 1999 (defeated)
Carole Marple Labor Altona 3 October 1992 30 March 1996 (retired)
Denise McGill Liberal Oakleigh 3 October 1992 18 September 1999 (defeated)
Inga Peulich* Liberal Bentleigh 3 October 1992 30 November 2002 (defeated)
Marie Tehan* Liberal Seymour 3 October 1992 18 September 1999 (retired)
26 Leonie Burke Liberal Prahran 30 March 1996 30 November 2002 (retired)
Christine Campbell Labor Pascoe Vale 30 March 1996 29 November 2014 (retired)
Mary Gillett Labor Werribee
Tarneit
30 March 1996 29 November 2002
30 November 2002 25 November 2006 (retired)
Lynne Kosky Labor Altona 30 March 1996 18 January 2010 (resigned)
Andrea McCall Liberal Frankston 30 March 1996 30 November 2002 (defeated)
Judy Maddigan Labor Essendon 30 March 1996 27 November 2010 (retired)
Helen Shardey Liberal Caulfield 30 March 1996 27 November 2010 (retired)
33 Susan Davies Independent Gippsland West 1 February 1997 29 November 2002 (defeated)
34 Mary Delahunty Labor Northcote 15 September 1998 24 November 2006 (retired)
35 Jacinta Allan Labor Bendigo East 18 September 1999
Louise Asher* Liberal Brighton 18 September 1999 24 November 2018 (retired)
Liz Beattie Labor Tullamarine
Yuroke
18 September 1999 30 November 2002
30 November 2002 29 November 2014 (retired)
Joanne Duncan Labor Gisborne
Macedon
18 September 1999 30 November 2002
30 November 2002 29 November 2014 (retired)
Christine Fyffe Liberal Evelyn 18 September 1999 30 November 2002 (defeated)
25 November 2006 24 November 2018 (retired)
Jenny Lindell Labor Carrum 18 September 1999 27 November 2010 (defeated)
Karen Overington Labor Ballarat West 18 September 1999 27 November 2010 (retired)
Bronwyn Pike Labor Melbourne 18 September 1999 7 May 2012 (resigned)
43 Denise Allen Labor Benalla 13 May 2000 29 November 2002 (defeated)
44 Dympna Beard Labor Kilsyth 30 November 2002 25 November 2006 (defeated)
Rosy Buchanan Labor Hastings 30 November 2002 25 November 2006 (defeated)
Lily D'Ambrosio Labor Mill Park 30 November 2002
Anne Eckstein Labor Ferntree Gully 30 November 2002 25 November 2006 (defeated)
Danielle Green Labor Yan Yean 30 November 2002
Tammy Lobato Labor Gembrook 30 November 2002 27 November 2010 (defeated)
Kirstie Marshall Labor Forest Hill 30 November 2002 27 November 2010 (defeated)
Heather McTaggart Labor Evelyn 30 November 2002 25 November 2006 (defeated)
Maxine Morand Labor Mount Waverley 30 November 2002 27 November 2010 (defeated)
Janice Munt Labor Mordialloc 30 November 2002 27 November 2010 (defeated)
Lisa Neville Labor Bellarine 30 November 2002
Jeanette Powell* National Shepparton 30 November 2002 29 November 2014 (retired)
56 Judith Graley Labor Narre Warren South 25 November 2006 24 November 2018 (retired)
Fiona Richardson Labor Northcote 25 November 2006 23 August 2017 (died)
Marsha Thomson* Labor Footscray 25 November 2006 24 November 2018 (retired)
Heidi Victoria Liberal Bayswater 25 November 2006 24 November 2018 (defeated)
Mary Wooldridge* Liberal Doncaster 25 November 2006 29 November 2014 (transferred to LC)
61 Marlene Kairouz Labor Kororoit 28 June 2008
62 Jill Hennessy Labor Altona 13 February 2010
63 Donna Bauer Liberal Carrum 27 November 2010 29 November 2014 (defeated)
Maree Edwards Labor Bendigo West 27 November 2010
Jane Garrett* Labor Brunswick 27 November 2010 24 November 2018 (transferred to LC)
Bronwyn Halfpenny Labor Thomastown 27 November 2010
Natalie Hutchins Labor Keilor
Sydenham
27 November 2010 29 November 2014
29 November 2014
Sharon Knight Labor Ballarat West
Wendouree
27 November 2010 29 November 2014
29 November 2014 24 November 2018 (retired)
Cindy McLeish Liberal Seymour
Eildon
27 November 2010 29 November 2014
29 November 2014
Elizabeth Miller Liberal Bentleigh 27 November 2010 29 November 2014 (defeated)
Dee Ryall Liberal Mitcham
Ringwood
27 November 2010 29 November 2014
29 November 2014 24 November 2018 (defeated)
Lorraine Wreford Liberal Mordialloc 27 November 2010 29 November 2014 (defeated)
73 Jennifer Kanis Labor Melbourne 21 July 2012 29 November 2014 (defeated)
74 Lizzie Blandthorn Labor Pascoe Vale 29 November 2014
Christine Couzens Labor Geelong 29 November 2014
Emma Kealy National Lowan 29 November 2014
Sonya Kilkenny Labor Carrum 29 November 2014
Steph Ryan National Euroa 29 November 2014
Ellen Sandell Greens Melbourne 29 November 2014
Suzanna Sheed Independent Shepparton 29 November 2014
Ros Spence Labor Yuroke 29 November 2014
Louise Staley Liberal Ripon 29 November 2014
Natalie Suleyman Labor St Albans 29 November 2014
Mary-Anne Thomas Labor Macedon 29 November 2014
Vicki Ward Labor Eltham 29 November 2014
Gabrielle Williams Labor Dandenong 29 November 2014
87 Roma Britnell Liberal South-West Coast 31 October 2015
88 Lidia Thorpe Greens Northcote 18 November 2017 24 November 2018 (defeated)
89 Juliana Addison Labor Wendouree 24 November 2018
Sarah Connolly Labor Tarneit 24 November 2018
Jordan Crugnale Labor Bass 24 November 2018
Ali Cupper Independent Mildura 24 November 2018
Katie Hall Labor Footscray 24 November 2018
Melissa Horne Labor Williamstown 24 November 2018
Pauline Richards Labor Cranbourne 24 November 2018
Michaela Settle Labor Buninyong 24 November 2018
Kat Theophanous Labor Northcote 24 November 2018
Bridget Vallence Liberal Evelyn 24 November 2018

Timeline

Bridget VallenceKat TheophanousMichaela SettlePauline RichardsMelissa HorneKatie Hall (Australian politician)Ali CupperJordan CrugnaleSarah Connolly (politician)Juliana AddisonLidia ThorpeRoma BritnellGabrielle WilliamsVicki WardMary-Anne ThomasNatalie SuleymanLouise StaleyRos SpenceSuzanna SheedEllen SandellSteph RyanSonya KilkennyEmma KealyChristine CouzensLizzie BlandthornJennifer KanisLorraine WrefordDee RyallElizabeth Miller (politician)Cindy McLeishSharon Knight (politician)Natalie HutchinsBronwyn HalfpennyJane GarrettMaree EdwardsDonna BauerJill Hennessy (politician)Marlene KairouzMary WooldridgeHeidi VictoriaMarsha ThomsonFiona RichardsonJudith GraleyJeanette PowellLisa NevilleJanice MuntMaxine MorandHeather McTaggartKirstie MarshallTammy LobatoDanielle GreenAnne EcksteinLily D'AmbrosioRosy BuchananDympna BeardDenise AllenBronwyn PikeKaren OveringtonJenny LindellChristine FyffeJoanne Duncan (politician)Liz BeattieLouise AsherJacinta AllanMary DelahuntySusan DaviesHelen ShardeyJudy MaddiganAndrea McCallLynne KoskyMary GillettChristine Campbell (politician)Leonie BurkeMarie TehanInga PeulichDenise McGillCarole MarpleAnn Henderson (politician)Lorraine ElliottSherryl GarbuttJoan KirnerAnn BarkerJan WadeCarolyn HirshBeth GleesonJan Wilson (Australian politician)Kay SetchesMargaret Ray (Australian politician)Jane Hill (politician)Prue SibreeValerie CallisterJoan ChambersPauline TonerJeannette PatrickDorothy GobleFanny BrownbillIvy WeberMillie Peacock

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 predecessor, the United Australia and Liberal & Country parties.

Term Labor Liberal National Others Total
Women Total % Women Total % Women Total % Women Total % Women Total %
1932–1935 0160.0% 0310.0% 0140.0% 040.0% 0650.0%
1935–1937 0170.0% 0250.0% 0200.0% 030.0% 0650.0%
1937–1940 0200.0% 0210.0% 0200.0% 1425.0% 1651.5%
1940–1943 1224.5% 0160.0% 0220.0% 1520.0% 2653.1%
1943–1945 1224.5% 0130.0% 0250.0% 1520.0% 2653.1%
1945–1947 1313.2% 0100.0% 0180.0% 060.0% 1651.5%
1947–1950 1175.9% 0270.0% 0200.0% 010.0% 1651.5%
1950–1952 0240.0% 0270.0% 0130.0% 010.0% 0650.0%
1952–1955 0370.0% 0110.0% 0120.0% 050.0% 0650.0%
1955–1958 0200.0% 0330.0% 0110.0% 020.0% 0660.0%
1958–1961 0180.0% 0390.0% 090.0% 000.0% 0660.0%
1961–1964 0170.0% 0390.0% 090.0% 010.0% 0660.0%
1964–1967 0180.0% 0380.0% 0100.0% 000.0% 0660.0%
1967–1970 0160.0% 1442.3% 0120.0% 010.0% 1731.4%
1970–1973 0220.0% 1422.4% 080.0% 010.0% 1731.4%
1973–1976 0180.0% 1462.2% 080.0% 010.0% 1731.4%
1976–1979 0210.0% 1521.9% 070.0% 010.0% 1811.2%
1979–1982 1323.1% 2414.9% 080.0% 000.0% 3813.7%
1982–1985 54910.2% 2248.3% 080.0% 000.0% 7818.6%
1985–1988 84717.0% 1313.2% 0100.0% 000.0% 98810.2%
1988–1992 94619.6% 1333.0% 090.0% 000.0% 108811.3%
1992–1996 42714.8% 65211.5% 090.0% 000.0% 108811.3%
1996–1999 62920.7% 94918.4% 090.0% 010.0% 158817.0%
1999–2002 134231.0% 73619.4% 070.0% 1333.3% 218823.9%
2002–2006 246238.7% 21711.8% 1714.3% 020.0% 278830.7%
2006–2010 205536.4% 52321.7% 1911.1% 010.0% 268829.5%
2010–2014 194344.2% 93525.7% 11010.0% 000.0% 298833.0%
2014–2018 224746.8% 63020.0% 2825.0% 2366.7% 328836.4%
2018–2022 255545.5% 42119.0% 2633.3% 3650.0% 348838.6%

See also

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