Australia

Women’s fight for equality in Australia occurred on the heels of the Equal Rights Movement in the United States. Between 1923-1925, Australia began petitioning for legislation that would confer to women the right to serve in Parliament and other legislative positions. Though they had the ability and right to vote for many years, women were still barred from serving on a jury or holding seats in Parliament despite prior efforts. 

However, as in the United States, they faced challenges from the opposition. A previously passed Jury Act granted women the right to serve on juries. In 1924, the Parliament of West Australia passed a bill that questioned this right. Individuals on the bench and at the bar distorted the language of the Jury Act to make jury service an exception and thus barring women altogether. However, the Australian Legislative Council rejected the bill with a catch vote. Compelled by the recent actions of the Parliament of West Australia, the ministry introduced an amendment to the Jury Act.