Susan Ryan
Encyclopedia
Susan Maree Ryan AO
(born 10 October 1942) is an Australian educator who served as a Senator
for the Australian Capital Territory
(ACT) 1975–87. Her legislative contributions to the Australian political landscape include the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and the Affirmative Action (Equal Opportunities in Employment) Act 1986.
Ryan was born in Sydney and educated at the Brigidine Convent in Maroubra
. She graduated from the University of Sydney
in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts and worked as a school teacher. She married Richard Butler
in 1963 and they have one son and one daughter—they divorced in 1972. From 1966 she was a residence officer at the Australian National University
in Canberra
while studying and tutoring in English literature. In 1969 she helped to establish the Labor Club
in Belconnen
. She graduated with a Master of Arts in English Literature from the ANU in 1972. Following graduation she served as a delegate to the ACT Australian Labor Party
from 1973 to 1976.
). In 1975 she was elected as one of the first two Senators for the ACT, on the slogan "A woman's place is in the Senate". She was the ACT's first female senator and first Labor senator. When the Hawke
Labor Government was elected in March 1983, Ryan was appointed Minister for Education and Youth Affairs and Minister assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women
. She was Minister for Education in the second Hawke Ministry
and opposed the re-introduction of fees for tertiary education despite strong support in Cabinet
for the user-pays principle. She lost the education portfolio in the third Hawke Ministry
and was instead given a much reduced role as Special Minister of State
. Subsequently the Higher Education Contribution Scheme
was introduced to partially fund higher education. Ryan resigned from the Senate on 16 December 1987.
Ryan had a strong focus on gender equality in politics. A private member's bill written by her in 1981 was crucial to the development of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, the Affirmative Action (Equal Employment Opportunity for Women) Act 1986, the Public Service Reform Act 1984 and the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987. She was also a founding member of the Women's Electoral Lobby
ACT branch.
from 2000 to 2007. She has also campaigned for an Australian Bill of Rights. She was deputy chairman of the Australian Republican Movement
from 2000 to 2003. She has published a political autobiography, Catching the Waves: life in and out of politics.
In July 2011 she was appointed as Australia's inaugural Age Discrimination Commissioner with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Ryan was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia
(AO) in June 1990. She has received honorary doctorates from the University of Canberra
, Macquarie University
and the University of South 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"...
(born 10 October 1942) is an Australian educator who served as a Senator
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
for the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
(ACT) 1975–87. Her legislative contributions to the Australian political landscape include the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and the Affirmative Action (Equal Opportunities in Employment) Act 1986.
Ryan was born in Sydney and educated at the Brigidine Convent in Maroubra
Maroubra, New South Wales
Maroubra is a beachside suburb in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Maroubra is located 10 kilometres south-east of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Randwick. Maroubra is the largest suburb in the area governed...
. She graduated from the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts and worked as a school teacher. She married Richard Butler
Richard Butler (diplomat)
Richard William Butler AC has served as an Australian diplomat, a United Nations weapons inspector and the Governor of Tasmania.-Life and career:...
in 1963 and they have one son and one daughter—they divorced in 1972. From 1966 she was a residence officer 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...
in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
while studying and tutoring in English literature. In 1969 she helped to establish the Labor Club
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
in Belconnen
Belconnen
Belconnen is a district of Canberra, the capital city of Australia, comprising 25 suburbs with 29,900 dwellings housing 82,247 people of the 311,518 people in the Australian Capital Territory ....
. She graduated with a Master of Arts in English Literature from the ANU in 1972. Following graduation she served as a delegate to the ACT Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
from 1973 to 1976.
Political career
In 1974 she was elected to the ACT Advisory Council (predecessor to the ACT Legislative AssemblyAustralian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory...
). In 1975 she was elected as one of the first two Senators for the ACT, on the slogan "A woman's place is in the Senate". She was the ACT's first female senator and first Labor senator. When the Hawke
Bob Hawke
Robert James Lee "Bob" Hawke AC GCL was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia from March 1983 to December 1991 and therefore longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister....
Labor Government was elected in March 1983, Ryan was appointed Minister for Education and Youth Affairs and Minister assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women
Minister for the Status of Women (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Status of Women is Kate Ellis, who was appointed on 14 September 2010. The ministry is administered through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs....
. She was Minister for Education in the second Hawke Ministry
Second Hawke Ministry
The Second Hawke Ministry was the fifty-sixth Australian Commonwealth ministry, and held office from 13 December 1984 to 24 July 1987.Australian Labor Party-Cabinet:*Hon Bob Hawke, AC MP: Prime Minister...
and opposed the re-introduction of fees for tertiary education despite strong support in Cabinet
Cabinet of Australia
The Cabinet of Australia is the council of senior ministers of the Crown, responsible to parliament. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister the Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, and serves at the former's pleasure. The strictly private...
for the user-pays principle. She lost the education portfolio in the third Hawke Ministry
Third Hawke Ministry
The Third Hawke Ministry was the fifty-seventh Australian Commonwealth ministry, and held office from 24 July 1987 to 4 April 1990.Australian Labor Party-Cabinet:*Hon Bob Hawke, AC MP: Prime Minister...
and was instead given a much reduced role as Special Minister of State
Special Minister of State
The Special Minister of State , currently the Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity is a ministerial portfolio in the Australian Government Department of Finance and Deregulation responsible for various parliamentary, electoral, financial and oversight affairs.Other areas...
. Subsequently the Higher Education Contribution Scheme
Tertiary education fees in Australia
As a general rule, all students who attend Australian tertiary education institutions are charged higher education fees. However, several measures are in place to relieve the costs of tertiary education in Australia....
was introduced to partially fund higher education. Ryan resigned from the Senate on 16 December 1987.
Ryan had a strong focus on gender equality in politics. A private member's bill written by her in 1981 was crucial to the development of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, the Affirmative Action (Equal Employment Opportunity for Women) Act 1986, the Public Service Reform Act 1984 and the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987. She was also a founding member of the Women's Electoral Lobby
Women's Electoral Lobby
WEL is credited with major achievements for women in Australia in relation to anti-discrimination and equal opportunity legislation, equal pay decisions, the funding of women’s and children’s services.....
ACT branch.
After politics
Following her resignation from politics Ryan has worked as an editor and in the insurance, plastics and superannuation industries. She was President of the Australian Institute of Superannuation TrusteesAustralian Institute of Superannuation Trustees
The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees is the independent professional body for Trustees managing superannuation funds. AIST represents over 350 corporate industry and public sector superannuation funds that control more than $110 billion of accumulated assets....
from 2000 to 2007. She has also campaigned for an Australian Bill of Rights. She was deputy chairman of the Australian Republican Movement
Australian Republican Movement
The Australian Republican Movement is a non-partisan lobby group advocating constitutional change in Australia to a republican form of government, from a constitutional monarchy.-Foundation:...
from 2000 to 2003. She has published a political autobiography, Catching the Waves: life in and out of politics.
In July 2011 she was appointed as Australia's inaugural Age Discrimination Commissioner with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Ryan was appointed an Officer 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"...
(AO) in June 1990. She has received honorary doctorates from the 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...
, Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
and the University of South Australia
University of South Australia
The University of South Australia is a public university in the Australian state of South Australia. It was formed in 1991 with the merger of the South Australian Institute of Technology and Colleges of Advanced Education. It is the largest university in South Australia, with more than 36,000...
.