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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-05-18 Daily Xml
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FEMALE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. S.G. Wade:

That this council notes the centenary of the passage of the Female Practitioners Act 1911, the contribution of female practitioners in the 100 years since and the ongoing contribution of women to the state through the legal profession.

(Continued from 9 March 2011.)

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (19:58): In speaking to this motion, I move the following amendment:

Leave out all words after 'centenary' and insert the following—

of International Women's Day and the passage of the Female Practitioners Act 1911. This council also notes the contribution of female practitioners in the 100 years since and the ongoing contribution of women to the state through the legal profession.

Whilst moving an amendment to this motion to reflect that it is also 100 years since the first official celebration of International Women's Day, I rise to support the Hon. Stephen Wade's comments. I acknowledge him for highlighting the contribution of trailblazing female practitioners, such as Mary Kitson, Clare Harris and, of course, Dame Roma Mitchell, Australia's first female QC and judge.

As mentioned, the government's amendments recognise the centenary of International Women's Day. The motion before us now notes two significant occasions, about which it is a pleasure to speak in this place today. As the honourable member noted, it has been 100 years since the passage of the Female Practitioners Act 1911. The honourable member has placed on the record the 100 years of advancement of women in the law. Like the honourable member, I would like to note briefly that there is still some work to be done for women in the legal profession.

I know that the honourable member mentioned that women have come to comprise approximately 60 per cent of graduates from Australian law schools. We should also note that, despite graduating in greater numbers than their male counterparts, women comprise just 38 per cent of practising lawyers, and there remains a clear majority of men in the upper tiers of the legal profession.

Nonetheless, it is clear that women have come a long way in the last 100 years, and that is clear when we think about the legacy of those trailblazing women such as Mary Kitson, Clare Harris and Dame Roma Mitchell (who went on, of course, to become our state governor). I think one of the best examples of the long way we have come in relation to women in general, and female practitioners, was the example of Justice Tom Gray's jury composition.

The centenary of International Women's Day early this year was also an important opportunity to recognise how far women have come. There were events and functions all across the state in relation to the history of International Women's Day (IWD). A search of the IWD website tells us that International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s, which of course was a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialised world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.

The early 1900s also saw great unrest and critical debate occurring amongst women. The website tells us that women's oppression and inequality were spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Then, in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.

The year 1909 was significant. History tells us that, in accordance with the declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Women's Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on 28 February. Women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February until 1913. We learn that in 1910 an international conference of working women was held in Copenhagen. A woman by the name of Clara Zetkin, who was the leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, tabled the idea of an International Women's Day.

More importantly, she proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day—a women's day—to press for their demands. I understand the conference of over 100 women from 17 countries representing unions, socialist parties and working women's clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin's suggestion with unanimous approval and the International Women's Day was the result.

I am certain honourable members would be aware that, following the decision agreed at Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) was honoured for the first time in many European countries. As we know, since that time International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike, and it has grown from strength to strength.

Women's organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually in early March by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement and diligently reminding us of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

As honourable members would remember, our Minister for the Status of Women, and now Leader of the Government in this place, took the opportunity to invite nominations for the 2011 Women's Honour Role. The South Australian Women's Honour Role honours the achievements of South Australian women, and nominations are still open.

I am sure that some honourable members attended some of the numerous IWD events in Adelaide this year. There was a rally, a breakfast and a lunch, all marking IWD. Women have come a long way in the last 100 years, and speaking on this amended motion is an excellent opportunity for us to acknowledge what has gone before us and to remember what remains for us still to do.

I am one who strongly believes in the importance of recording history, and I thank the Hon. Stephen Wade for placing on the record so much important history in relation to our female practitioners in the state. I add my support for the motion.

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

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