Cowan, Mrs Edith

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (16:31): I move:

That this council—

1. Notes that 2021 marks the centenary of the election of the first woman to an Australian parliament, Edith Cowan OBE, who was elected to the Parliament of Western Australia on 12 March 1921;

2. Recognises Mrs Cowan’s commitment to advocacy for women and children; and

3. Commits to continue to support Mrs Cowan’s legacy of supporting the advancement of women in South Australia.

This motion is to commemorate the centenary of the election of the first Australian woman parliamentarian, Edith Cowan OBE, who was elected to the Parliament of Western Australia on 12 March 1921.

Mrs Edith Dircksey Cowan OBE was elected to parliament on 12 March 1921. She was a member and leader of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Karrakatta Club. She was an integral contributor to the Western Australian suffragist movement in the 1890s. She stood for election just one year after women were granted the right to sit in parliament in Western Australia, at the age of 59. She gave her maiden speech in July 1921, and I quote:

I stand here today in the unique position of being the first woman in an Australian Parliament. I know many people think perhaps that it was not the wisest thing to do to send a woman into Parliament, and perhaps I should remind hon. members that one of the reasons why women and men also considered it advisable to do so, was because it was felt that men need a reminder sometimes from women beside them that will make them realise all that can be done for the race and for the home. I have been sent here more from that standpoint than from any other…

During her term in parliament Edith advocated strongly for women and children, which was consistent with a number of women then as well as today, particularly in the area of health. Although she was a member of the government, she did not always vote on party lines but she always voted to benefit women and children.

Edith was a strong advocate for free education, the rights of children, child endowment, greater regional funding for schools, infant health centres, hospitals and roads, and the right for women to enter professional occupations. She successfully presented two private member's bills: firstly, to give equal inheritance rights to women when children died intestate and, secondly, to allow women to enter the legal and other professions.

Edith served one term in parliament but her legacy is significant. She is remembered as one of Australia's most significant social reformers. It is also significant that we have recently celebrated the 125^th anniversary in South Australia of women's suffrage to grant women the right to vote. I thank the Western Australian parliament for reminding all jurisdictions that we should commemorate the advocacy and the election of Edith Cowan OBE. I commend this motion to the council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.