Margaret Reid (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Reid
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Reid in 2021
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| President of the Australian Senate | |
| In office 20 August 1996 – 18 August 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Beahan |
| Succeeded by | Paul Calvert |
| Senator for Australian Capital Territory | |
| In office 5 May 1981 – 14 February 2003 |
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| Preceded by | John Knight |
| Succeeded by | Gary Humphries |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Margaret Elizabeth McLachlan
28 May 1935 Crystal Brook, South Australia |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse |
Tom Reid
(m. 1967; died 2010) |
| Alma mater | University of Adelaide |
| Profession | Barrister |
Margaret Elizabeth Reid is an important Australian politician. She was born Margaret Elizabeth McLachlan on 28 May 1935. She was a Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) from 1981 to 2003. This means she represented the people of the ACT in the Australian Parliament. Margaret Reid was a member of the Liberal Party. She served for almost 22 years and won eight elections in a row. She made history as the first woman to become the President of the Australian Senate.
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Early Life and Education
Margaret Reid was born in a town called Crystal Brook, South Australia. She went to school at Balaklava Primary School and Methodist Ladies' College. Later, she studied at the University of Adelaide. While at university, she was very interested in politics. She especially liked the speeches of Prime Minister Robert Menzies.
In 1954, Margaret joined the Liberal Party. She became the leader of the Liberal Club at her university. She also led the Young Liberals group in South Australia. In 1959, she finished her studies and earned a law degree.
Becoming a Lawyer
After university, Margaret Reid became a barrister and solicitor in 1960. This meant she could work as a lawyer. She started her career in Adelaide, helping families with legal issues.
In 1961, she tried to become a politician for the first time. She ran as a Liberal candidate in an area called Division of Bonython. This area was known for strongly supporting the Labor Party. Even though she didn't win, she did better than previous Liberal candidates there.
In 1965, Margaret moved to Canberra, Australia's capital city. She joined a law firm and continued to work as a lawyer until 1981. She mostly helped people with family law cases.
Political Journey
Starting in Politics
Margaret Reid was very active in the Liberal Party in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). She held many important roles, including becoming the party president in the ACT in 1976. While still working as a lawyer, she also helped Senator John Knight, who was the first Senator for the ACT.
When Senator Knight sadly passed away in 1981, there was an empty spot in the Senate. Margaret Reid was one of ten people who wanted to fill it. The ACT Liberal Party chose her to take his place. On 5 May 1981, the Australian Parliament officially appointed her as a Senator.
During her first time as a Senator, Margaret worked hard for the ACT. She helped create a special group in the government to focus on the ACT's needs. She also became the Deputy Whip in the Senate. She chose this role because it allowed her to spend more time working with the people she represented. She believed this was important for her to be re-elected.
In 1983, the Liberal–National government lost the election to the Labor Party. Margaret Reid had to wait two weeks to find out if she had won her seat again, but she did!
Working in Opposition
For 13 years, the Liberal Party was not in power. During this time, Margaret Reid kept her Senate seat through three more elections. She continued to be the Deputy Whip and then became the Opposition Whip from 1987 to 1995. The Whip's job is to make sure party members vote together.
She also worked on many important committees. These committees looked at things like family law, government spending, transport, and how laws are made. Margaret also traveled to international meetings to represent Australia's Parliament.
In July 1995, Margaret Reid became the Deputy President and Chair of Committees in the Senate. This happened after the person who held the role before her had to leave. She was then seen as a good choice to become the Senate President if the Liberal Party won the next election.
Becoming Senate President
On 20 August 1996, Margaret Reid made history. She became the first woman to be the President of the Senate. She held this important job for six years, until 2002.
As President, she led many meetings and represented the Australian Parliament at international events. She also worked to help other countries develop their own democratic systems. She was re-elected twice while serving as President. Her last election in 1998 was very close, but she won.
In 2002, Margaret Reid decided not to continue as Senate President. Another politician, Paul Calvert, was chosen to take her place. Margaret Reid retired from politics on 14 February 2003. She had served as a Senator for 22 years.
Personal Life
After moving to Canberra, Margaret met Tom Reid. They got married in 1967. Margaret became a stepmother to Tom's four children and helped raise them. By 2001, they had seven grandchildren. Tom Reid passed away in 2010.
Awards and Recognition
Margaret Reid has received many awards for her service:
- 1977: Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
- 1987: Order of Polonia Restituta (from Poland)
- 1996: Honorary Life Membership of the Returned and Services League of Australia
- 2000: Centenary Medal
- 2001: Victorian Honour Roll of Women
- 2004: Officer of the Order of Australia (a high honor for her work in Parliament and the community)
- 2006: Honorary doctorate from Charles Sturt University
- Liberal Party Distinguished Service Award
