List of female heads of government in Australia
A total of sixteen women have served, or are serving, as the head of an Australian government. Of these, one has served as the prime minister of Australia, eight as the premier of a state and seven as the chief minister of a territory. Twenty women have also served, or are serving, as the deputy head of government in Australian states and territories; one has served as the deputy prime minister of the country, thirteen as the deputy premier of a state, and six as the deputy chief minister of a territory.
The first female head of government in Australia, was Rosemary Follett in 1989, who was the 1st Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory. Carmen Lawrence became the first female premier of a state in 1990, by serving as the 25th Premier of Western Australia. In 2010, Julia Gillard became the first, and to date, only female Prime Minister of Australia.
Today, every Australian state and territory has had at least one female head of government, except for South Australia; the Northern Territory has had the most, with four; the Australian Capital Territory has had three; Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria have each had a second female head of government serving in their respective jurisdiction. The most female heads to serve concurrently was four, during the 315 days between 16 May 2011 and 26 March 2012. Annastacia Palaszczuk, who served as the 39th Premier of Queensland from 2015 to 2023, had the longest tenure of any female head of government in Australia. The shortest tenure belongs to Eva Lawler, who will have served as the 13th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory from December 2023 to August 2024.
There are currently two serving female heads of government in Australia: Jacinta Allan (49th Premier of Victoria) who was appointed on 27 September 2023, and Eva Lawler (13th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory) who was appointed on 21 December 2023. Lia Finocchiaro will succeed Lawler to become the 14th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, having won the general election in August 2024. In addition, four women currently serve as deputy heads of government in Australia; Yvette Berry (Deputy Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory) since 31 October 2016; Susan Close (Deputy Premier of South Australia) since 21 March 2022; Prue Car (Deputy Premier of New South Wales) since 28 March 2023; and Rita Saffioti (Deputy Premier of Western Australia) since 8 June 2023.
Female heads of government
[edit]Heads
[edit]Portrait | Title | Name (birth–death) |
State or territory | Term start | Term end | Elections | Duration | Party | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chief Minister | Rosemary Follett (b. 1948) |
Australian Capital Territory | 11 May 1989 | 5 December 1989 | 1989 1992 1995 |
4 years, 122 days | Labor | [a] | ||
6 June 1991 | 2 March 1995 | |||||||||
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Premier | Carmen Lawrence (b. 1948) |
Western Australia | 12 February 1990 | 16 February 1993 | 1993 | 3 years, 4 days | Labor | [b] | |
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Premier | Joan Kirner (1938–2015) |
Victoria | 10 August 1990 | 6 October 1992 | 1992 | 2 years, 57 days | Labor | [c] | |
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Chief Minister | Kate Carnell (b. 1955) |
Australian Capital Territory | 2 March 1995 | 18 October 2000 | 1995 1998 |
5 years, 230 days | Liberal | [d] | |
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Chief Minister | Clare Martin (b. 1952) |
Northern Territory | 18 August 2001 | 26 November 2007 | 2001 2005 |
6 years, 100 days | Labor | [e] | |
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Premier | Anna Bligh (b. 1960) |
Queensland | 13 September 2007 | 26 March 2012 | 2009 2012 |
4 years, 195 days | Labor | [f] | |
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Premier | Kristina Keneally (b. 1968) |
New South Wales | 4 December 2009 | 28 March 2011 | 2011 | 1 year, 114 days | Labor | [g] | |
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Prime Minister | Julia Gillard (b. 1961) |
Australia (Federal) |
24 June 2010 | 27 June 2013 | 2010 | 3 years, 3 days | Labor | [h] | |
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Premier | Lara Giddings (b. 1972) |
Tasmania | 24 January 2011 | 31 March 2014 | 2014 | 3 years, 66 days | Labor | [i] | |
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Chief Minister | Katy Gallagher (b. 1970) |
Australian Capital Territory | 16 May 2011 | 11 December 2014 | 2012 | 3 years, 209 days | Labor | [j] | |
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Premier | Annastacia Palaszczuk (b. 1969) |
Queensland | 14 February 2015 | 15 December 2023 | 2015 2017 2020 |
8 years, 304 days | Labor | [k] | |
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Premier | Gladys Berejiklian (b. 1970) |
New South Wales | 23 January 2017 | 5 October 2021 | 2019 | 4 years, 255 days | Liberal | [l] | |
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Chief Minister | Natasha Fyles (b. 1978) |
Northern Territory | 13 May 2022 | 21 December 2023 | — | 1 year, 222 days | Labor | [m] | |
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Premier | Jacinta Allan (b. 1973) |
Victoria | 27 September 2023 | Incumbent | — | 334 days | Labor | [n] | |
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Chief Minister | Eva Lawler | Northern Territory | 21 December 2023 | Outgoing | 2024 | 249 days | Labor | [o] | |
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Chief Minister | Lia Finocchiaro (b. 1984) |
Northern Territory | TBD | Incoming | 2024 | — | Country Liberal | [p] |
Deputy heads
[edit]Name | State/ territory |
Party | Head of government | Term start | Term end | Duration | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joan Kirner | Victoria | Labor | John Cain II | 7 February 1989 | 10 August 1990 | 1 year, 184 days | |
Joan Sheldon | Queensland | Liberal | Rob Borbidge | 19 February 1996 | 26 June 1998 | 2 years, 127 days | |
Sue Napier | Tasmania | Liberal | Tony Rundle | 18 March 1996 | 14 September 1998 | 2 years, 180 days | |
Anna Bligh | Queensland | Labor | Peter Beattie | 28 July 2005 | 13 September 2007 | 2 years, 47 days | |
Katy Gallagher | Australian Capital Territory | Labor | Jon Stanhope | 20 April 2006 | 16 May 2011 | 5 years, 26 days | |
Marion Scrymgour | Northern Territory | Labor | Paul Henderson | 26 November 2007 | 8 February 2009 | 1 year, 74 days | |
Julia Gillard | Australia | Labor | Kevin Rudd | 3 December 2007 | 24 June 2010 | 2 years, 203 days | |
Lara Giddings | Tasmania | Labor | David Bartlett | 26 May 2008 | 24 January 2011 | 2 years, 243 days | |
Carmel Tebbutt | New South Wales | Labor | Nathan Rees Kristina Keneally |
5 September 2008 | 28 March 2011 | 2 years, 204 days | |
Delia Lawrie | Northern Territory | Labor | Paul Henderson | 9 February 2009 | 29 August 2012 | 3 years, 202 days | |
Robyn Lambley | Northern Territory | Country Liberal | Terry Mills | 29 August 2012 | 6 April 2013 | 251 days | |
Jackie Trad | Queensland | Labor | Annastacia Palaszczuk | 14 February 2015 | 10 May 2020 | 5 years, 86 days | |
Liza Harvey | Western Australia | Liberal | Colin Barnett | 16 February 2016 | 17 March 2017 | 1 year, 29 days[24] | |
Nicole Manison | Northern Territory | Labor | Michael Gunner Natasha Fyles |
12 September 2016 | 21 December 2023 | 7 years, 100 days | |
Yvette Berry | Australian Capital Territory | Labor | Andrew Barr | 31 October 2016 | Incumbent | 7 years, 300 days[25] | |
Vickie Chapman | South Australia | Liberal | Steven Marshall | 19 March 2018 | 22 November 2021 | 3 years, 248 days[26] | |
Susan Close | South Australia | Labor | Peter Malinauskas | 21 March 2022 | Incumbent | 2 years, 158 days[27] | |
Jacinta Allan | Victoria | Labor | Daniel Andrews | 27 June 2022 | 27 September 2023 | 1 year, 92 days[28] | |
Prue Car | New South Wales | Labor | Chris Minns | 28 March 2023 | Incumbent | 1 year, 151 days | |
Rita Saffioti | Western Australia | Labor | Roger Cook | 8 June 2023 | Incumbent | 1 year, 79 days |
Female opposition leaders
[edit]Portrait | Name (birth–death) |
State or territory | Term start | Term end | Elections | Duration | Party | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rosemary Follett (b. 1948) |
Australian Capital Territory | 5 December 1989 | 6 June 1991 | 1 year, 183 days | Labor | ||||
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Joan Kirner (1938–2015) |
Victoria | 6 October 1992 | 22 March 1993 | 167 days | Labor | |||
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Carmen Lawrence (b. 1948) |
Western Australia | 16 February 1993 | 7 February 1994 | 356 days | Labor | [q] | ||
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Kate Carnell (b. 1955) |
Australian Capital Territory | 21 April 1993 | 9 March 1995 | 1995 | 1 year, 322 days | Liberal | ||
Rosemary Follett (b. 1948) |
Australian Capital Territory | 9 March 1995 | 5 March 1996 | 362 days | Labor | ||||
Maggie Hickey (b. 1946) |
Northern Territory | 16 April 1996 | 2 February 1999 | 1997 | 2 years, 292 days | Labor | |||
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Kerry Chikarovski (b. 1956) |
New South Wales | 8 December 1998 | 28 March 2002 | 1999 | 3 years, 110 days | Liberal | [r] | |
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Clare Martin (b. 1952) |
Northern Territory | 2 February 1999 | 27 August 2001 | 2001 | 2 years, 206 days | Labor | ||
Sue Napier (1948–2010) |
Tasmania | 2 July 1999 | 20 August 2001 | 2 years, 49 days | Liberal | [s] | |||
Jodeen Carney (b. 1965) |
Northern Territory | 18 June 2005 | 29 January 2008 | 2 years, 225 days | Country Liberal | [t] | |||
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Isobel Redmond (b. 1953) |
South Australia | 8 July 2009 | 31 January 2013 | 2010 | 3 years, 207 days | Liberal | ||
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Annastacia Palaszczuk (b. 1969) |
Queensland | 28 March 2012 | 14 February 2015 | 2015 | 2 years, 323 days | Labor | ||
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Delia Lawrie (b. 1966) |
Northern Territory | 29 August 2012 | 20 April 2015 | 2 years, 234 days | Labor | [u] | ||
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Rebecca White (b. 1983) |
Tasmania | 17 March 2017 | 15 May 2021 | 2018 2021 |
4 years, 59 days | Labor | [v] | |
7 July 2021 | 10 April 2024 | 2024 | 2 years, 278 days | ||||||
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Deb Frecklington (b. 1971) |
Queensland | 12 December 2017 | 12 November 2020 | 2020 | 2 years, 336 days | Liberal National | [w] | |
Liza Harvey (b. 1966) |
Western Australia | 13 June 2019 | 24 November 2020 | 1 year, 194 days | Liberal | ||||
Jodi McKay (b. 1969) |
New South Wales | 29 June 2019 | 28 May 2021 | 1 year, 333 days | Labor | ||||
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Lia Finocchiaro (b. 1984) |
Northern Territory | 1 February 2020 | Incumbent | 2024 | 4 years, 207 days | Country Liberal | ||
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Elizabeth Lee (b. 1979) |
Australian Capital Territory | 27 October 2020 | Incumbent | 3 years, 304 days | Liberal | |||
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Mia Davies (b. 1978) |
Western Australia | 14 April 2021 | 30 January 2023 | 1 year, 291 days | National |
Timeline
[edit]Heads
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/2a6fn3dhavzk5lppiio1fzpmwy9n2if.png)
Red represents members of the Australian Labor Party, blue represents members of the Liberal Party of Australia.
Deputy heads
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/d6w2r4sfvchaljujkvqx21h4e7rpg8u.png)
Red represents members of the Australian Labor Party, blue represents members of the Liberal Party of Australia and orange represents the Country Liberal Party.
See also
[edit]- Women and government in Australia
- List of elected and appointed female heads of state and government
- List of female first ministers in Canada
- List of female governors in the United States
Notes
[edit]- ^ Elected 1st Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory in May 1989, after her party formed government following the inaugural general election in March 1989. Defeated in a vote-of-no-confidence in December 1989, to Trevor Kaine. Returned to power in June 1991, following a vote-of-no-confidence against Kaine. Led Labor to victory at the 1992 general election. Defeated by the Liberals under Kate Carnell at the general election in February 1995. First woman to become Chief Minister of a Territory of the Commonwealth of Australia. Only female government head to serve non-consecutive terms.[1]
- ^ Appointed 25th Premier of Western Australia in February 1990, following the resignation of Peter Dowding. Defeated at the state election in February 1993, by Richard Court (Liberal). First woman to become Premier of Western Australia, and hence, of a State within the Commonwealth of Australia.
- ^ Appointed 42nd Premier of Victoria in August 1990, following the resignation of John Cain II. Defeated at the state election in October 1992, by Jeff Kennett (Liberal). First, and to date, only woman Premier of Victoria.[2]
- ^ Elected 3rd Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory in March 1995, after defeating Labor under Rosemary Follett at the general election. Led the Liberals to victory at the 1998 general election. Resigned in October 2000.[3]
- ^ Elected 7th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory in August 2001, after defeating the Country Liberal Party under Denis Burke at the general election. Led Labor to victory at the 2005 general election. Resigned in November 2007. First woman Chief Minister of the Northern Territory.[4]
- ^ Appointed 37th Premier of Queensland in September 2007, following the retirement of Peter Beattie. Led Labor to victory at the 2009 state election. Defeated at the state election in March 2012, by Campbell Newman (Liberal). First woman Premier of Queensland.[5][6]
- ^ Appointed 42nd Premier of New South Wales in December 2009, following a Labor Party leadership challenge against Nathan Rees. Defeated at the state election in March 2011, by Barry O'Farrell (Liberal). First woman Premier of New South Wales.[7]
- ^ Appointed 27th Prime Minister of Australia in June 2010, following a Labor Party leadership challenge against Kevin Rudd. Led Labor to victory at the 2010 federal election. Defeated in a leadership challenge by Rudd, in June 2013. First, and to date, only woman Prime Minister of Australia.[8]
- ^ Appointed 44th Premier of Tasmania in January 2011, following the resignation of David Bartlett. Defeated at the state election, in March 2014. First, and to date, only woman Premier of Tasmania.[9][10][11]
- ^ Appointed 6th Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory in May 2011, following the resignation of Jon Stanhope. Led Labor to victory at the 2012 general election. Resigned in December 2014.[12]
- ^ Elected 39th Premier of Queensland in February 2015, after defeating the Liberals under Campbell Newman at the state election.[13][14] Led Labor to victory at the 2017 state election[15] and the 2020 state election.[16] Resigned in December 2023.[17] Only woman head of government to win three elections.
- ^ Appointed 45th Premier of New South Wales in January 2017, following the resignation of Mike Baird. Led the Liberals to victory at the 2019 state election.[18] Resigned in October 2021.
- ^ Appointed 12th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory on 13 May 2022, after the resignation of Michael Gunner.[19] Resigned in December 2023.[20]
- ^ Appointed 49th Premier of Victoria on 27 September 2023, after the resignation of Daniel Andrews.[21]
- ^ Appointed 13th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory on 21 December 2023, after the resignation of Natasha Fyles.[22] Defeated by the Country Liberals under Lia Finocchiaro at the general election in August 2024.
- ^ Elected 14th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory in August 2024, after defeating Labor under Eva Lawler at the general election.[23]
- ^ Resigned in order to enter federal politics at the 1994 Fremantle by-election.
- ^ Challenged for the leadership by John Brogden, lost by one vote.
- ^ Challenged for the leadership by Bob Cheek.
- ^ Challenged for the leadership by Terry Mills. Resigned in favour of Mills after vote was tied.
- ^ Resigned as leader following a successful spill motion.
- ^ Resigned as leader following electoral defeat.
- ^ Resigned as leader following electoral defeat.
References
[edit]- ^ Profile. womenaustralia.info. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ Wallace, Rick (1 June 2015). "Joan Kirner, first female premier of Victoria, dies aged 76". The Australian. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ "Carnell, Anne Katherine – profile". Encyclopedia of Australian Science. 1 August 2007. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
- ^ Murdoch, Lindsay. "Clare Martin and deputy quit". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ Koren Helbig; Sarah Vogler (25 March 2012). "Anna Bligh quits: 'Labor cannot rebuild with me in its ranks'". The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ "Bligh resigns after election wipe-out". ABC News. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ "Keneally sworn in as state's first female premier". Herald Sun. 4 December 2009.
- ^ "The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Member for Lalor (Vic)". Australian House of Representatives. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ "Bartlett confirms resignation on Facebook". ABC News. Australia. 23 January 2011.
- ^ "Tasmanian premier to resign". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 23 January 2011.
- ^ Atherton, Ben (15 March 2014). "Liberals swept to power in Tasmania, Labor hopeful of clinging to power in South Australia". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ "Katy Gallagher resigns as Chief Minister, declares for Senate". The Canberra Times. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ Robertson, Joshua (13 February 2015). "Annastacia Palaszczuk new premier of Queensland after Labor wins 44 seats". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ "Queensland election 2015: Annastacia Palaszczuk sworn in as Premier". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (14 February 2015). 14 February 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ "Queensland election: Labor's Annastacia Palaszczuk claims victory with at least 47 seats". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (8 December 2017). 8 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ Beaumont, Adrian (31 October 2020). "Labor wins Queensland election, as Greens could win up to four seats". The Conversation. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ Rebgetz, Louisa (10 December 2023). "Annastacia Palaszczuk, the 'accidental premier' who became a Labor legend and trailblazer for women". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ Blumer, Clare. (23 January 2017). "Gladys Berejiklian is Premier of New South Wales, replacing Mike Baird". ABC. Retrieved 23 January 2017
- ^ Vivian, Steve, Gibson, Jano, and Perera, Alicia. (13 May 2022). "Natasha Fyles sworn in as Northern Territory Chief Minister, replacing Michael Gunner". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ Hislop, Jack and Morgan, Thomas. (19 December 2023). "Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles resigns amid mounting pressure over leadership". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ Kolovos, Benita and Ore, Adeshola. (27 September 2023). "Jacinta Allan named as new premier of Victoria". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ Brissenden, Neve. (20 December 2023). "NT Treasurer Eva Lawler set for Chief Minister’s job". Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ Parkinson, Amanda. (24 August 2024). "Country Liberals clinch victory in NT election". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- ^ AAP. (13 March 2017). "WA election: Alannah MacTiernan seeks cabinet role in McGowan government". The Australian. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
- ^ Lawson, Kirsten. (17 October 2016). "ACT election 2016: Yvette Berry backed for Labor deputy as Greens weigh up coalition or crossbench". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- ^ Dayman, Isabel (22 November 2021). "Vickie Chapman steps down as SA Deputy Premier and aside from ministerial roles pending ombudsman investigation". ABC News (Australia). Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ "SA election 2022: Liberal minister Corey Wingard set to lose seat, One Nation could gain in upper house". ABC News. 20 March 2022.
- ^ "Victorian Labor endorses Jacinta Allan as deputy premier after mass ministerial resignations". ABC News. 25 June 2022.