Margaret Reid

Margaret Elizabeth Reid AO (born 28 May 1935) is a former Australian politician. She was the first woman to be President of the Australian Senate. Born near Adelaide, South Australia, Reid was educated at the University of Adelaide. There she joined the Liberal Party, becoming the first female president of the Australian Liberal Students Federation. After graduating, Reid became a barrister, specialising in family law. She moved to Canberra in 19... more

Margaret Elizabeth Reid AO (born 28 May 1935) is a former Australian politician. She was the first woman to be President of the Australian Senate. Born near Adelaide, South Australia, Reid was educated at the University of Adelaide. There she joined the Liberal Party, becoming the first female president of the Australian Liberal Students Federation. After graduating, Reid became a barrister, specialising in family law. She moved to Canberra in 1965. On 5 May 1981 Margaret Reid was elected by a joint sitting of the Australian Parliament to fill a casual vacancy in the representation of the Australian Capital Territory in the Senate, following the sudden death of her close friend, Senator John Knight. This was the first of only two occasions on which a Senate casual vacancy was filled in this manner, as the law was later changed to provide for a replacement senator to be appointed by the relevant territory (ACT or NT) legislative assembly. She became Liberal Whip in the Senate in 1987... less