Zoe McKenzie (Flinders, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It being International Women's Day, I rise to speak on this morning's gathering on the grounds of Old Parliament House to unveil the sculptures of Dame Dorothy Tangney and Dame Enid Lyons, the first female senator and member of the House of Representatives, respectively. Victorian artist Lis Johnson captured the moment they first walked into Parliament House on 24 September 1943. Most of the women elected to this place and the other one were present, and proceedings were graciously addressed by the member for Eden-Monaro, but also recognised was the mighty member for Forrest, whose ferocious persistence produced these sculptures. As it turns out, they are the only sculptures of women anywhere in the Australian Capital Territory.

Parliamentarians and the public alike were regaled with family tales from Libby Lyons and Maxine Muir—who, may I say, bears a striking resemblance to her aunt Dorothy—including fine descriptions of the anticipation these tiny but towering women would have felt that day. It was clear from the stories, if not from their stride, demeanour and, indeed, the fox fur hung feistily around Dame Enid's neck, that both women meant business.

As I stood with colleagues from across the parliamentary spectrum, I had the occasion to feel, and to now express in this place, my gratitude towards all the women in this place, both elected and unelected—some of whom, like Senator Jane Hume and my office manager, Julia Doyle, I have known for over 30 years. Equally, the gratitude extends to those I've just met across party lines. You make this place better and more effective and, indeed, more fun.

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