SFJ and others,

the first elected female head of a state or territory actually goes to the ACT - Rosemary Follett ALP 1989.
http://www.aec.gov.au/elections/australian_electoral_history/milestone.htm
This is before even the first poison challis was handed to Carmen Lawrence in WA.

wolfkeeng

i don't care one jot about gender representation in parliament.
That is a personal journey, for those that wish to enjoy the trials and rewards of office.
I care only about good policy.
A true leader has little need for positive discrimination, or feel-good back-slapping, for that matter. Politicians are elected to serve and represent the whole of a population within a geographical area, not a select race, or religion, or gender.