Pru Goward
Encyclopedia
Prudence Jane Goward MP (born 2 September 1952 in Adelaide
), an Australian politician, is the Minister for Community Services and Women in the O'Farrell
Liberal-National
Coalition Government since 2011. Goward is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
representing Goulburn
for the Liberal Party of Australia
since 2007. She has previously served as Australian Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner
and Commissioner Responsible for Age Discrimination with the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
.
and gained entrance to Woodlands Church of England Girls Grammar School on a half scholarship. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Econ) (Hons) in 1974 from Adelaide University.
Goward married journalist, David Barnett in 1986. She is the mother of three daughters, former model and actor Kate Fischer
, Penny Fischer, and Alice Barnett. She has two granddaughters. She was previously married to university lecturer Alastair Fischer from 1973 to 1983 whom she met whilst studying at Adelaide University.
Goward and Barnett maintain a close personal friendship with former Prime Minister John Howard
for many years and jointly authored a biography of Howard in 1997.
. She has also worked as a high school teacher, a university lecturer in economics, a Broadcast Journalism lecturer at University of Canberra
, a media consultant and freelance writer.
She was Executive Director of the Office of the Status of Women in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
from 1997–1999. In this position, Goward criticised the business community for the "primitive attitudes" that kept women out of senior executive ranks and boardrooms. At the time of her appointment, she was criticised by Anne Summers, a previous Executive Director, and Carmen Lawrence
, a prominent female politician, for her perceived inexperience and political connection to the Howard government. She was Federal spokeswoman for the Sydney Olympic Games from 1999–2000 and National director of the Australian Property Institute from 2000–2001.
Goward was the as Sex Discrimination Commissioner at HREOC
, a 5-year tenure she began in July 2001. As Sex Discrimination Commissioner, she called for the introduction of paid maternity leave, a position rejected by the Howard government. John Howard extended her tenure for an additional 3 years in July 2006. However, she successfully ran for New South Wales state parliament in March 2007.
state parliament in seat of Epping
in Sydney's north-west, but was defeated by the former President of the Right to Life
Association, Greg Smith. She was subsequently preselected unopposed for the seat of Goulburn, to replace retiring Liberal frontbencher Peta Seaton
. Pru Goward was expected to win the seat, however an unexpectedly strong swing to Labor in the Southern Highlands area of the seat put her victory in doubt on election night. Her main contender, Independent Mayor of Goulburn Paul Stephenson, conceded defeat on 29 March 2007. Goward was quoted as saying that she "didn't expect to win it. I knew I was behind the whole time, even four days before the election we were told I was five points behind, so I'm just so grateful."
In May 2007, Goward was caught speeding in a school zone. This was her second driving offence for 2007. Goward said "It was extremely careless on my part and like thousands of other drivers I deeply regret it."
Pru Goward has said rumours concerning allegations that she had an affair or sexual relationship with Prime Minister John Howard had been frequently and strongly denied by both parties.
in 2001 for services to journalism and women's rights.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
), an Australian politician, is the Minister for Community Services and Women in the O'Farrell
Barry O'Farrell
Barry Robert O'Farrell MP, is an Australian politician and is the 43rd Premier of New South Wales, Minister for Western Sydney, Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party and a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Ku-ring-gai for the Liberal Party since 1999.Born in...
Liberal-National
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
Coalition Government since 2011. Goward is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
representing Goulburn
Electoral district of Goulburn
Goulburn is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Pru Goward of the Liberal Party of Australia....
for the Liberal Party of Australia
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...
since 2007. She has previously served as Australian Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner
Sex Discrimination Commissioner
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner is an Australian federal government position established to oversee the operation of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984. The position was created alongside the Act as one of the specialist commissioners of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission...
and Commissioner Responsible for Age Discrimination with the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
The Australian Human Rights Commission is a national human rights institution, a statutory body funded by, but operating independently of, the Australian Government. It has the responsibility for investigating alleged infringements under Australia’s anti-discrimination legislation...
.
Early life and personal background
Goward was born to Gerald Goward and Zipporah Riggs, and was raised in Adelaide. She attended Morphett Vale Primary School, Willunga High SchoolWillunga High School
Willunga High School is a high school in Willunga, South Australia, a semi-rural area 45 km south of Adelaide. Willunga has strong community and industry recognition and support, particularly from the wine, grape-growing and hospitality sectors...
and gained entrance to Woodlands Church of England Girls Grammar School on a half scholarship. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Econ) (Hons) in 1974 from Adelaide University.
Goward married journalist, David Barnett in 1986. She is the mother of three daughters, former model and actor Kate Fischer
Kate Fischer
Kate Fischer, aka Katie Fischer, is an Australian model and actress. She attended the Canberra Girls' Grammar School....
, Penny Fischer, and Alice Barnett. She has two granddaughters. She was previously married to university lecturer Alastair Fischer from 1973 to 1983 whom she met whilst studying at Adelaide University.
Goward and Barnett maintain a close personal friendship with former Prime Minister John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
for many years and jointly authored a biography of Howard in 1997.
Career
Goward joined ABC TV and Radio in 1980, firstly as a reporter with Nationwide, then as a political correspondent on the 7.30 Report, and later as host of the Morning Show and Daybreak on Radio NationalRadio National
ABC Radio National is an Australia-wide non-commercial radio network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Radio National broadcasts national programming in areas that include news and current affairs, the arts, social issues, science, drama and comedy...
. She has also worked as a high school teacher, a university lecturer in economics, a Broadcast Journalism lecturer at University of Canberra
University of Canberra
Over the years the Stone Day program has gradually become larger and larger, taking up a whole week and now Stonefest is one of Australia's most popular music festivals. The first foundation celebrations were held in 1971. In 1973 Stone Day celebrations were held over two days, which was expanded...
, a media consultant and freelance writer.
She was Executive Director of the Office of the Status of Women in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is an Australian Government department. The Department was first established in 1911...
from 1997–1999. In this position, Goward criticised the business community for the "primitive attitudes" that kept women out of senior executive ranks and boardrooms. At the time of her appointment, she was criticised by Anne Summers, a previous Executive Director, and Carmen Lawrence
Carmen Lawrence
Carmen Mary Lawrence is a retired Australian politician; a former Premier of Western Australia and the first woman to become Premier of a State of the Commonwealth of Australia....
, a prominent female politician, for her perceived inexperience and political connection to the Howard government. She was Federal spokeswoman for the Sydney Olympic Games from 1999–2000 and National director of the Australian Property Institute from 2000–2001.
Goward was the as Sex Discrimination Commissioner at HREOC
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
The Australian Human Rights Commission is a national human rights institution, a statutory body funded by, but operating independently of, the Australian Government. It has the responsibility for investigating alleged infringements under Australia’s anti-discrimination legislation...
, a 5-year tenure she began in July 2001. As Sex Discrimination Commissioner, she called for the introduction of paid maternity leave, a position rejected by the Howard government. John Howard extended her tenure for an additional 3 years in July 2006. However, she successfully ran for New South Wales state parliament in March 2007.
Parliamentary career
In 2006, Goward nominated for Liberal Party preselection for the New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
state parliament in seat of Epping
Electoral district of Epping
Epping is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Greg Smith of the Liberal Party of Australia.-Members for Epping:-Election results:...
in Sydney's north-west, but was defeated by the former President of the Right to Life
Right to life
Right to life is a phrase that describes the belief that a human being has an essential right to live, particularly that a human being has the right not to be killed by another human being...
Association, Greg Smith. She was subsequently preselected unopposed for the seat of Goulburn, to replace retiring Liberal frontbencher Peta Seaton
Peta Seaton
Peta Luise Seaton , a former Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Southern Highlands for the Liberal Party of Australia from 1996 until her retirement prior to the 2007 election....
. Pru Goward was expected to win the seat, however an unexpectedly strong swing to Labor in the Southern Highlands area of the seat put her victory in doubt on election night. Her main contender, Independent Mayor of Goulburn Paul Stephenson, conceded defeat on 29 March 2007. Goward was quoted as saying that she "didn't expect to win it. I knew I was behind the whole time, even four days before the election we were told I was five points behind, so I'm just so grateful."
Controversy
After being in Parliament a single day, Goward told a symposium of women in leadership in Sydney "I have never worked in any profession as male-dominated or as ruthlessly sexist as this. "I was quite shocked by it." These comments have not been supported by other female MPs from both sides of politics, who generally said Parliament had improved.In May 2007, Goward was caught speeding in a school zone. This was her second driving offence for 2007. Goward said "It was extremely careless on my part and like thousands of other drivers I deeply regret it."
Pru Goward has said rumours concerning allegations that she had an affair or sexual relationship with Prime Minister John Howard had been frequently and strongly denied by both parties.
Honours
Goward was awarded a Centenary MedalCentenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
in 2001 for services to journalism and women's rights.
External links
- Profile of Pru Goward at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
- Official Website of Pru Goward
Publications
- David Barnett & Pru Goward, John Howard, Prime Minister, Viking, 1997 ISBN 0-670-87389-6
- Pru Goward, A Business of Your Own: How Women Succeed in Business, Allen & Unwin (Australia), 2001 ISBN 1-86508-593-6