Women got to vote in which Australian state?

Answer 1

Women in South Australia were first granted the right to vote in 1894. The first opportunity arose for them to exercise their right to vote in the election of 1896.

It is usually recognised that this right happened with the passing of a Bill on 18 December 1894. Following this was a letter from the Attorney-General advising Governor Kintore that Royal Assent would be required to enact the Bill, dated 21 December 1894. The Bill was enacted when Queen Victoria gave Royal Assent on 2 February 1895.

South Australia was the first colony in Australia where women gained the vote, and only the fourth place in the world to grant this right. The issue of women voting had been under discussion since the 1860s, but momentum was gained after the formation of the Women's Suffrage League at Gawler Place in 1888. Six Bills were introduced into Parliament, but not passed, between 1885 and 1894.

The final, successful Bill was passed in 1894. At first, it included a clause preventing women from becoming members of Parliament. It is ironic that the clause was removed thanks to the efforts of Ebenezer Ward who was an outspoken opponent of women's suffrage. Ward hoped that including women in Parliament would be seen as so ridiculous that the whole Bill would be voted out. The change was accepted, however, allowing the women of South Australia to gain complete parliamentary equality with men.

Women obtained the right to vote and stand as candidates for both houses of federal Parliament on 16 June 1902. This applied to the federal election of 1903.

Answer 2

Before the federation, Western Australia and South Australia granted the women the vote. After the federation the states of Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and New South Wales allowed the women to vote.

Answer 3

All Australian women obtained the right to vote and stand as candidates for both houses of federal Parliament on 16 June 1902. This applied to the federal election of 1903.

Answer 4

WA