CONDOLENCES

Ms STEGGALL (Warringah) (13:08): It's my privilege today to add my voice and the voices of Warringah to this condolence motion for the life of the Hon. Justice Mary Gaudron KC, a legal titan and trailblazer who shattered the glass ceiling not only for women in law but for all those who had been told not to do a man's job. Mary Gaudron did not simply practice the law; she reshaped who could work inside of it.

From her upbringing in Moree, her path to the High Court was not the same well-worn one that many had taken before but one marked by perseverance in the face of rejection and discrimination. Many of my parliamentary colleagues have risen to recount Justice Gaudron's achievements, but their scale and importance make them worth repeating. Earning a scholarship to the University of Sydney, Justice Gaudron studied her law degree part time in order to support herself and her family.

Her drive to succeed was unmatched. She sat her fourth-year exams while nine months pregnant before going on to top her class in the final exams. She was the first part-time female student to win the University Medal, where reportedly the vice-chancellor had proposed giving the medal to the male student who had come second, as Justin Gaudron would not be able to put the medal to good use as a wife and mother.

Of course, Justice Gaudron did. In fact, she made excellent use of that medal. After being initially told by multiple firms that they wouldn't hire a female clerk, she joined the Public Service.

She worked there until she got married, leading to her being forced to resign from the Public Service due to the marriage bar forbidding married women from working in the Public Service. Despite this, Justice Gaudron met every closed door and discriminatory action and rule with distinction and determination. She was called to the bar in 1968 and became the first woman appointed to the New South Wales Bar Association in 1972.

She was the first woman to take silk in New South Wales. When chambers refused to rent her a room due to her gender, it did not stop her from rising to be the youngest Federal Court judge of her time. Of course, in 1987 she was appointed as the first female justice of the High Court of Australia.

It's hard, I think, today in 2026, for many young women to contemplate the discrimination that Justice Mary Gaudron faced simply because of her gender. I think too often we take for granted the changes that have occurred, the equality and the opportunities that are open to us. It is because of the fight and the determination of so many incredible women that went before us.

It's why it's so incredibly important that we remain vigilant. We know the rights of women are being wound back in many places around the world. To be true to the legacy of giants like Justice Mary Gaudron, we absolutely must raise our voices and make sure those gains are not wound back.

Personally, as a female barrister, I walked in the footsteps of Justice Gaudron. When I was studying my law degree, I did so taking my newborn son into law lectures, and I wasn't barred from the opportunity to learn or to be qualified. I wasn't barred from that opportunity.

It is because of people like Justice Mary Gaudron, who had shown the world that a woman could be a mother and have a successful law career. She knew the importance of whether she succeeded or failed, stating that she would give no-one a chance to say, 'We tried a woman once, and it did not work.' I think that's a burden and a responsibility many of us carry because it's too easy to then have gains wound back and prejudice rise.

We are seeing that today. We have to be vigilant. We are seeing that today in the modern world, where the manosphere and so many areas are trying to win back women's rights.

So, as we gather here, it's good to take note of some of the progress. Today, three of the seven High Court justices are women, and it is certain to say that appointing a woman worked. I would like to share my condolences with Justice Gaudron's loved ones and those who knew her.

Australia is still grappling with gender equality, but the path Justice Gaudron cleared has shown us that women can not only match their male colleagues but be better in many instances. That is good because a rising tide lifts all ships. When we all are pushed to give it our best, to do our best, to be smarter, braver, more caring, we will all benefit.

On behalf of Warringah, I would like to thank the Hon. Justice Gaudron for making this world a better and fairer place. Federation Chamber adjourned at 13 : 14