Women in the House (Make History Speaker Series)

University of Adelaide

Women in the House (part of the University of Adelaide’s (Make History Speaker Series) brought together a powerful panel of prominent current and former female figures in state and federal politics to celebrate 130 years since South Australia granted women the right to vote: Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Senator Sarah-Hanson Young, Hon Vickie Chapman, and Natasha Stott Despoja AO.

2024 marks 130 years since South Australia led the nation and the world in granting the right for women to vote and stand for parliament when South Australia passed the Constitutional Amendment (Adult Suffrage) Act in 1894, decades ahead of Europe and North America.

In South Australia’s current Parliament, women hold key positions in Cabinet and leadership roles across the political spectrum, although equal representation is yet to gain full momentum.

130 years of women’s suffrage in South Australia coincides with the University of Adelaide’s 150th anniversary. To celebrate the milestones, a special Make History Speaker Series event – Women in the House – brought together a powerful panel of prominent current and former female figures in state and federal politics. All four panellists are returning alumni of the University of Adelaide.

“Just because you feel that politics has given up on you, don’t you give up on it. We need the diversity and difference represented…it is possible to be part of that change.”
– Natasha Stott Despoja AO

Panellists

Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Leader of the Government in the Senate, and Senator for South Australia
Senator Sarah-Hanson Young, Senator for South Australia Senator and a passionate environmentalist, community campaigner, feminist, and human rights activist
Hon Vickie Chapman, Former Deputy Premier of South Australia and Member for Bragg for the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia
Natasha Stott Despoja AO, Former Senator for South Australia, diplomat, gender equality advocate and author

The panel was facilitated by journalist Tory Shepherd.

Pathways to Politics for Women has been delivered in South Australia in partnership with the University of Adelaide since 2023. Pathways to Politics participants and alums were invited to attend the event to connect with distinguished guests and hear from the panel of inspiring women from across Australia’s political landscape.