Margaret Guilfoyle
Encyclopedia
Dame Margaret Georgina Constance Guilfoyle, AC
, DBE
(born 15 May 1926) was a British-born Australian Senator for the state of Victoria
from 1971 to 1987. She was the second woman to receive a federal ministerial portfolio, after Dame Enid Lyons
. Following her retirement she has continued to serve the Australian public through numerous boards and directorships.
Margaret Guilfoyle was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland as Margaret McCarthy. Her family migrated to Australia in 1928 and settled in Melbourne. She trained as an accountant, and later studied law at the Australian National University
. She married Stanley Guilfoyle.
She joined the Young Liberals
in 1949, and was active within the party from that point. In 1970, Guilfoyle was elected to the Senate for the Liberal Party
in Victoria, her term beginning on 1 July 1971.
She served in the governments of Malcolm Fraser
between 1975 and 1983, as minister, successively, for Education, Social Security
and Finance. She retired from politics at the double dissolution of 5 June 1987.
(DBE) in January 1980, and a Companion of the Order of Australia
(AC) in June 2005.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, DBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 15 May 1926) was a British-born Australian Senator for the state of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
from 1971 to 1987. She was the second woman to receive a federal ministerial portfolio, after Dame Enid Lyons
Enid Lyons
Dame Enid Muriel Lyons, AD, GBE was an Australian politician and the first woman to be elected to the Australian House of Representatives as well as the first woman appointed to the federal Cabinet...
. Following her retirement she has continued to serve the Australian public through numerous boards and directorships.
Margaret Guilfoyle was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland as Margaret McCarthy. Her family migrated to Australia in 1928 and settled in Melbourne. She trained as an accountant, and later studied law at the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. She married Stanley Guilfoyle.
She joined the Young Liberals
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
in 1949, and was active within the party from that point. In 1970, Guilfoyle was elected to the Senate for the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
in Victoria, her term beginning on 1 July 1971.
She served in the governments of Malcolm Fraser
Malcolm Fraser
John Malcolm Fraser AC, CH, GCL, PC is a former Australian Liberal Party politician who was the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. He came to power in the 1975 election following the dismissal of the Whitlam Labor government, in which he played a key role...
between 1975 and 1983, as minister, successively, for Education, Social Security
Minister for Human Services (Australia)
The position of Minister for Human Services within Australian politics is currently held by the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP. The Minister is responsible for a number of welfare agencies and administers her portfolio through the Department of Human Services and its component bodies:* Child Support...
and Finance. She retired from politics at the double dissolution of 5 June 1987.
Honours
She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(DBE) in January 1980, and a Companion of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AC) in June 2005.