in brief: australian political trailblazer joan child dies aged 91

Joan Child, the first female Labor member of the House of Representatives, and first female Speaker, has died at the age of 91.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard paid tribute to Ms Child in a statement released on Sunday night.

‘With Joan Child’s passing, Australia has lost one of its pioneering female political leaders, and I have lost a role model,’ she said.

Current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anna Burke, also held Child as a role model, saying, ‘She’s always been an inspiration to me.’

Burke is only the second woman to hold role of Speaker.

Ms Child entered politics at the age of 53, in 1974. She was elected member for the (now abolished) seat of Henty, a position she returned to in 1980 after two electoral defeats.

She became Speaker in February 1986, and held the role until 1989. She retired from politics in 1990.

Ms Burke admired Child’s tenacity during the turbulent political era. ‘As the speaker of the day she […] had to really rule quite […] with an iron fist and not give an inch.’

Ms Gillard praised the former Speaker for her commitment to the advancement of women.

‘As a confirmed “true believer”, Joan never forgot who had put her into politics or why. She was a powerful voice for the needs and rights of women, especially working women and women doing it tough.’

As well as being a political pioneer, Ms Child showed strength and purpose in her personal life. The biography of her 1972 election leaflet reads: ‘Joan Child is a widow who has reared five sons in a society that gives little help to those in her position.’ She also worked as a cleaner to make ends meet.

Ms Child was named an officer of the Order of Australia for her services to the Australia Parliament in 1990. Her family has accepted the offer of a state funeral.