The influence of women in The Nationals
The Nationals women have always punched above their weight.
As the one political party that has been looking after the interests of regional Australians for ninety years, the women in the Party pride themselves on their input and influence into policies and administration.
Late in 1959, largely on the initiative of John McEwen, a Women’s Conference was formed within Federal Council. Very soon after it became know as Women’s Federal Council (WFC). When Doug Anthony took over the Federal Leadership he decided to increase the direct flow of information between WFC and his office. He appointed an executive officer to the WFC in 1973 and introduced the idea of nominating an annual policy study project for WFC. Later, the WFC reports were presented to Federal Council or Conference and, if adopted, to the Federal Parliamentary Party.
From this initiative, one study that was carried out into domestic violence in 1989/90 resulted in The Nationals being the first party to recognise the problems and have a policy written into the Party’s platform.
In 1992, then-President of the WFC Helen Dickie presented a controversial women’s policy to Federal Council that was passed unanimously. The Party gained huge publicity in the lead up to the 1993 election. The States later followed with their own women’s policies. Many of the issues in that Policy remain relevant to women to this day.
Today, the WFC considers policy issues, undertakes research and presents motions to Federal Conference and Council, giving greater participation for women in the democratic decision making process.
Distinguished Women in The Nationals
Parliamentarians
- First Nationals woman elected to the Australian Parliament: Country Party Senator (WA) Agnes Robertson 1955-62
- First Nationals woman elected to the House of Reps: Hon De-Anne Kelly, Member for Dawson 1996-2007, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
- Current: Kay Hull MP, Member for Riverina
Senator (NSW) Fiona Nash
Leaders
- Federal Presidents:
Shirley McKerrow 1981-87 (First woman elected Federal President of any Australian political party)
Helen Dickie 1999-2005
- State Presidents:
Shirley McKerrow (VIC) 1976-1980
Helen Dickie (NSW) 1997-2002
Christine Ferguson (NSW) 2007-current (also President, Federal Women’s Council 2005-2007)
Wendy Duncan (WA) 2004-2008
- Presidents of Women’s Federal Council:
Mrs Phyllis Innes (Qld) first President
Mrs Ruth Strang (NSW) current President
Directors
Women’s Federal Council
The Nationals support and encourage greater participation by women in all aspects of the Party. The Party recognises that in order for our nation to achieve its full economic, social and political potential, women must have equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process. The Nationals are dedicated to making our democracy as inclusive as possible.
As well as the opportunities available for women to participate generally in the Party and seek leadership or Parliamentary office, the Party also includes the Women’s Federal Council. The Council is dedicated to promoting, assisting and supporting women to take on leadership roles, with a particular focus on increasing the involvement of women in policy, politics and decision-making within the Party.
The WFC considers policy issues, undertakes research and presents motions and discussion papers to other Federal Committees of the Party and to Federal Council.
It is chaired by an elected President, who is a member of Federal Management Committee.