Follett, Rosemary

Also known as
Follett, Rosemary (1948-)
Field of activity
Politician and Public servant
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an35687908
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-555693

Biographies

A member of the Australian Labor Party, Rosemary Follett was the first woman to lead an Australian state or territory government. She became the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT's) first chief minister in 1989 and was chief minister again from 1991 to 1995. She was elected to the first Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of the Australian Capital Territory in 1989. She served as the ACT Discrimination Commissioner from 1996 until 2004.

Rosemary Follett came to Canberra in 1952 and was educated at the former Catholic Girls High School (now Merici College, where a wing is named after her).

After school she joined the public service, but had to resign after marrying, as was the rule of the day. She then studied stenography and spent the next decade as a secretary to politicians from all parties.

The sacking of Gough Whitlam sparked her political activity and she joined the Ginninderra branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in 1975, becoming its president from 1983 to 1984. She graduated as a mature-age student with a Bachelor of Arts, Administration, from the then Canberra College of Advanced Education and rejoined the public service where she became a highly active workplace delegate with the Administrative and Clerical Officers Association.

In 1984 she was elected women's co-ordinator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) branch of the ALP and this gave her experience in the women's policy committee and the feminist caucus. From 1985 to 1986 she was a member of the ACT House of Assembly, and by 1987 was elected ALP ACT Branch president.

Follett became the first chief minister in 1989 and was chief minister again from 1991 to 1995. She was also the first woman to lead an Australian state or territory government. She was member for Molonglo from 1995 to 1996 and Labor leader from 1989 to 1991.

Her portfolio responsibilities included Social Justice, Treasury and Public Service, Attorney-General, Law Reform, Consumer Affairs, Police and Emergency Services.

Follett described herself as belonging to the Left faction of the ALP and came to power with a platform of open accountable government, social justice and a policy that half of all positions on government advisory boards and committees should be filled by women.

While in government Follett lived in a modest ex-government house. She also refused the chauffeur-driven large car that came with the top job and drove herself around in a Ford Laser.

In 1990 a Canberra Times – Datacol opinion poll put her popularity at a high 73 per cent.

She led a trade mission to Japan and was instrumental in bringing about the ACT's sister-city relationship with Nara.

She was a member of the Milk Authority of the ACT 1996 and is a member of the Canberra Labor Club, Canberra Tradesmen's Club and the Fabian Society.

Since losing power as head of the ACT ALP in 1996 she has been the ACT Discrimination Commissioner.

  • 1983 - 1984 President of the Australian Labor Party, Ginninderra Branch

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Related people and organisations

Australian Women's Register

Resources for Rosemary Follett

Resources by Rosemary Follett (16)

  1. Premiers past: Rosemary Follett
    Dodd, Andrew
    [ Sound : 2011 ]
    View online
    At Swinburne Uni Tech
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.497)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.497)

  2. A Successful transition : the ACT's path to state type funding / presented by Rosemary Follett
    Follett, Rosemary
    [ Book : 1994 ]
    At 6 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.019)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.019)

  3. Keeping Canberra Canberra : the Burley Griffin heritage in a self-governing context / Rosemary Follett
    Follett, Rosemary
    [ Book : 1992 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.393)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.393)

  4. Rosemary Follett address at the National Press Club on 7 June 1989
    Follett, Rosemary
    [ Sound : 1987 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.364)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.364)

  5. How the A.C.T makes public policy : Commonwealth/Territory relations from a Territory perspective : speech for A.N.U. public policy seminar, Monday 21 September 1992, 5:30-7:00 pm, A.N.U. Law Lecture Theatre / Rosemary Follett
    Follett, Rosemary
    [ Book : 1992 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.638)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.638)

  6. Debate between Rosemary Follett and Trevor Kaine at the National Press Club on 30 January 1992
    Follett, Rosemary
    [ Sound : 1992 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.624)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.624)

  7. Looking back at the advent of ACT self-government: six perspectives
    Price, Barry; Harris, Bill; Brunoro, Emile; Cornwell, Greg; Wood, Bill; Collaery, Bernard; Follett, Rosemary
    Canberra Historical Journal
    [ Article : 2005 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.433)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.433)

  8. Minority government in the Australian Capital Territory: the ALP experience
    Follett, Rosemary
    Legislative Studies
    [ Article : 1997 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.403)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.403)

  9. Women's policy and machinery of government. -Speech to National Labor Women's Conference (1991: Brisbane )-
    Follett, Rosemary
    Lobby
    [ Article : 1991 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.802)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.802)

  10. Responsible government. -Campaign launch speech for the 1989 A.C.T. election-
    Follett, Rosemary
    Lobby
    [ Article : 1989 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.802)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.802)

More...

Resources about Rosemary Follett (6)

  1. [Biographical cuttings on Rosemary Follett, former Chief Minister of the ACT, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
    [ Published : 1900-1990 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.978)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.978)

  2. First in, first out. -Interview with Rosemary Follett-
    Dowse, Sara
    Australian Society
    [ Article : 1990 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.818)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.818)

  3. The party princess. -A revealing profile of Rosemary Follett, in her official role, as a politician and as a private person-
    Frith, Marion
    Canberra Times
    [ Article : 1992 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.103)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.103)

  4. Follett Labor Government media papers
    Wicks, Wendy
    [ Unpublished : 1988-1989 ]
    At ACT Public Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.067)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.067)

  5. Looking back at the advent of ACT self-government: six perspectives
    Price, Barry; Harris, Bill; Brunoro, Emile; Cornwell, Greg; Wood, Bill; Collaery, Bernard; Follett, Rosemary
    Canberra Historical Journal
    [ Article : 2005 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.252)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.252)

  6. A.C.T. -Australian Capital Territory-: the 9th government
    Directions in Government
    [ Article : 1989 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.962)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.962)

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  1. La Concurrence (Australian context)
    Created by dance[NLA], 10 items.

    The single act ballet La concurrence (The Competition) was choreographed by George Balanchine for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo's opening program in 1932. Unlike this season's other new ...

  2. Les Sylphides (Australian context)
    Created by dance[NLA], 27 items.

    Chopiniana, which eventually became Les Sylphides, was first staged at a charity matinee in St Petersburg on 10 Feburary 1907. Choreographed by Michel Fokine to Glazunov's orchest...

  1. Follett, Rosemary
    ... A member of the Australian Labor Party, Rosemary Follett was the first woman to lead an Australian ...
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 0.52)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 0.52)

  2. ACT Women's Consultative Council (1989-2001)
    ... The ACT Women’s Consultative Council was established in 1989 by the then chief minister Rosemary ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.001)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.001)

  1. Website: Australian Women in War
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 18 matching archived pages
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.51)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.51)

  2. Website: Australian Women's Archives Project
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 16 matching archived pages
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.456)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.456)

  3. Website: Putting skirts on the sacred benches : women candidates for the New South Wales Parliament
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 3 matching archived pages
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.044)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.044)

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  1. Towards 2000: the future of social justice in the ACT. -Proceedings and workshop recommendations from a conference held by the Council of Social Service of the ACT-
    Follett, Rosemary and others
    ACTCOSS News
    [ Article : 1993 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.827)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.827)

  2. WHERE ARE THEY NOW - ROSEMARY FOLLETT
    Asia Africa Intelligence Wire
    [ Article : 2004 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.792)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.792)

  3. Two women pioneers who led the way: An interview with Rosemary Stewart with reflections on the life and times of Mary Parker Follett.(Interview)
    Seers, Anson
    The Leadership Quarterly
    [ Article : 2005 ]
    View online (access conditions)
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.551)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.551)

  4. Labor dumps Follett as leader of ACT Opposition
    The Australian (National, Australia)
    [ Article : 1996 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.089)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.089)

  1. Three-Minute Fiction: Countdown To Deadline.(19:00-20:00 PM)(Broadcast transcript)(Audio file)
    Weekend All Things Considered
    [ Sound : 2010 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.007)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.007)

  1. Australian Capital Territory 1989-1990 budget : initial statement / presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly (by) Rosemary Follett
    Australian Capital Territory. Treasury
    [ Book : 1989 ]
    At ACT Public Library
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.127)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.127)

  2. Ministerial statement on the final report of the "Canberra in the Year 2020" study / Circulated on the authority of Rosemary Follett,MLA Chief Minister
    [ Book : 1994 ]
    Languages: Undetermined
    At State Library of VIC
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.007)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.007)

  3. The ACT public account 1989-90 / presented by Rosemary Follett, MLA, Chief Minister and Treasurer for the Australian Capital Territory
    Australian Capital Territory. Treasury
    [ Book : 1989 ]
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.914)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.914)

  4. Program information and estimates 1989-90 / presented by Rosemary Follett, MLA, Chief Minister and Treasurer for the Australian Capital Territory on the occasion of the Budget 1989-90
    Australian Capital Territory. Treasury
    [ Book : 1989 ]
    At Bond Univ Law Lib
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.914)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.914)

  1. [Portrait of Rosemary Follett, Chie...
    Long, Andrew St...
    [ Poster, chart, other : 1994 ]
  2. Collection of portraits of Joan Kir...
    Long, Andrew St...
    [ Photograph : 1994 ]
  3. Re-election strategy [Rosemary Foll...
    Pryor, Geoff, 1...
    [ Art work : 1994 ]
  4. [Rosemary Follett cooking the 1992-...
    Pryor, Geoff, 1...
    [ Art work : 1992 ]
  5. "Hurry. you guys - it's Kate Carnel...
    Pryor, Geoff, 1...
    [ Art work : 1993 ]
  6. The Police respond to the Summernat...
    Pryor, Geoff, 1...
    [ Art work : 1993 ]
  1. [Biographical cuttings on Wendy Wicks, Press Secretary for Rosemary Follett and radio broadcaster, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
    [ Published : 1900-1990 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.433)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.433)

  2. Transition to self government oral history project
    Oakes, Bill
    [ Unpublished : 1990-1992 ]
    At ACT Public Library
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.023)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.023)

  3. Trevor Kaine papers
    Kaine, Trevor
    [ Unpublished : 1986-2001 ]
    At ACT Public Library
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.009)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.009)

  1. Salisbury Tennis Club Opened SALISBURY, October 13.
    The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Saturday 14 October 1950 p 12 Article
    ... Salisbury Tennis Club Opened SALISBURY. October 13. At the opening of the season of the, St. John's tennis club an all day American tournament was conducted, won by Miss Rosemary Follett and V. Vaughan. the trophies being donated by Mrs. A. LIU and Mr. C. King. During the afternoon L. Watson was ... 83 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.041)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.041)

  2. Weeding Days
    The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Thursday 30 September 1954 p 16 Article
    ... Town. '.Miss Rosemary Harris will be bridesmaid. Mrs. Dorothy Bamsley. of Cumberland Park, widow of Alfred James Bamsley, will marry Mr. Cyril John Follett, of Bennington, Euston. NSW, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Follett, of Dulwich, in West bourrie Park Methodist Church at 430 pjn. on Sat urday. ... 253 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.03)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.03)

  3. Women's Sport Leading Athletes For Whyalla Gift Events
    The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Friday 29 January 1954 p 14 Article
    ... be pinned on 14-year-old Lynlee Follett, daughter of the club coach (Mrs. Marion Foliety) and the club president (Mr. Arnold Follett). She has nominated for the 75 and 100 yards junior sprints. ... Whyalla. Mrs. Follett has 25 run ners, men and women, in her coaching: squad.* Young est is ... 431 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.026)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.026)