Learning module:
Australia since Federation Defining Moments, 1901–present
Investigation 3: The development of Australian democracy
3.1 Introduction
The 1896 Election, Rob van der Hoorn
Three significant events in democracy during the twentieth century in Australia for women were:
- Women gained the right to vote (suffrage).
- Women gained equal pay for equal work.
- Sex discrimination in employment and education against women became illegal.
Significant events are important because they change things — things are not the same after the change.
Significant events are also important because we learn about causes — what caused the event to happen.
Significant events are also important because they have consequences — what happens as a result of the change.
Explore these four significant events in the development of democracy for women.
Read the evidence files and use the information to answer the questions that follow.
In doing this you will be exploring change, causes and consequences.
| Investigation 3.2 1902 Women’s suffrage |
Investigation 3.3 1921 Edith Cowan elected to an Australian Parliament (WA) |
Investigation 3.4 1972 Equal pay for women and men |
Investigation 3.5 1984 Australian Parliament passes Sex Discrimination Act |
