Follett, Rosemary (1948–)

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Follett, Rosemary (1948–)

Australian politician. Born Mar 27, 1948, in Sydney, NSW, Australia; attended Catholic Girls High School (now Merici College) in Canberra; graduate of the Canberra College of Advanced Education.

The 1st woman to lead an Australian state or territory government, was also the 1st woman to attend a Premiers' Conference (1980); moved to Canberra (1952); joined the Ginninderra branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP, 1975), serving as its president (1983–84); elected women's coordinator for the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) branch of the ALP (1984); was a member of the ACT House of Assembly (1985–86) and elected ALP ACT branch president (1987); became ACT's 1st chief minister (1989) and served as chief minister again (1991–95); was a member for Molonglo (1995–96) and Labor leader (1989–91); established the ACT Women's Consultative Council (1989); became the ACT Discrimination Commissioner (1996); portfolio duties included Social Justice, Treasury and Public Service, Attorney-General Law Reform, Consumer Affairs, and Police and Emergency Services.