Australian Politics and Policy - Senior, 2019a

Australian Politics and Policy
Indigenous and decolonising feminisms are among those approaches bringing
other dimensions of oppression and privilege to the fore.
The gay and lesbian rights movement, which evolved into the LGBTIQ+ rights
movement, 23 has successfully achieved legal decriminalisation of homosexuality in
all Australian states and territories (from South Australia [SA] in 1975 to Tasmania
in 1997). 24 LGBTIQ+ communities have mobilised cultural power through events
such as Mardi Gras and popular culture expressions of sexuality and gender
diversity, many of which are international in nature. As in other countries, lesbian
and gay groups created community responses to HIV/AIDS that challenged the
state’s neglect of lesbian and gay lives. 25 Marriage equality (achieved in 2017) has
been the most notable recent campaign in relation to sexual and gender diversity.
Another important focus of contestation has been Safe Schools – a national
program aiming to eliminate homophobic bullying in schools and create safe
schooling environments.
Voting rights
As we have seen above, there are various forms of participation outside of formal
politics that are particularly relevant for people who are marginalised in or
excluded from formal politics. In systems of electoral democracy such as Australia,
however, voting is seen as the foundational form of participation.
The Australasian colonies were among the first jurisdictions worldwide to
introduce universal white male suffrage: the right of all white men aged 21 and over
regardless of class or property to vote. 26 Women (and, in some states, Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander men) were excluded regardless of property. Queensland
and Western Australia explicitly denied Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people of all genders the vote.
In 1895, SA introduced voting rights for adult women (including Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander women). The other Australian states and territories
followed, extending voting rights to some women within the next decade and a
half. 27 Therighttostandforofficefollowedsomewhatlaterinmostjurisdictions;
women could not stand for election to the Victorian parliament until 1923. 28
The process of Federation and the formation of the new Constitution of
Australia provided opportunities for white women to press for political rights. 29
As a result of women’s mobilisation and support from allies, especially from SA,
the Constitutional Convention of 1897 secured agreement (by only three votes)
23 Johnson, Maddison and Partridge 2011.
24 Winsor 2017.
25 Johnson, Maddison and Partridge 2011.
26 Curtin 2014, 312.
27 Curtin 2014, 312.
28 AEC 2015a.
29 Curtin 2014, 312–3.
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