Women

First female President of the Senate

20 August 1996

Margaret Reid becomes the first female President of the Senate.

The Honourable Senator Margaret Reid became not only the first woman but also the first senator from a territory to hold the position of President of the Senate in 1996. Senator Reid previously held the roles of Government Whip in the Senate and Deputy President. She saw her role as President as that of a defender and champion of the institution of the Senate, particularly as the ‘house of review.’

Senator Reid won 8 consecutive elections and represented the ACT in the Senate for nearly 22 years – from 1981 to 2003. 

Thank you, senators, for electing me to be your President. I regard this chamber as a very important part of the political process and I undertake to discharge my duties with integrity and impartiality.
The Hon. Margaret Reid, speaking in the Senate after her election as President, 20 August 1996
An oil painting of a woman sitting in a chair with her arm resting on a book placed on a table next to her. She wears a yellow jacket. There is a vase with a bouquet of flowers on the table.

The Hon. Margaret Elizabeth Reid, 1999 by Tom Alberts, (1962- )

Historic Memorials Collection, courtesy of Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT

The Hon. Margaret Elizabeth Reid, 1999 by Tom Alberts, (1962- )

An oil painting of a woman sitting in a chair with her arm resting on a book placed on a table next to her. She wears a yellow jacket. There is a vase with a bouquet of flowers on the table.

Historic Memorials Collection, courtesy of Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT

Description

This portrait of the Hon. Margaret Reid was painted by Tom Alberts in 1999. It is part of the Australian Parliament’s Historic Memorials Collection. Margaret Reid became the first woman to be President of the Senate in 1996.

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