ASIA
03 August 2025
Millicent Preston Stanley, A Battle-Axe in the Bear Pit of the New South Wales parliament
Dr Wendy Michaels has written a fascinating biography of Millicent Preston Stanley, a pathbreaking Australian politician.
Millicent Preston Stanley was the first woman elected to the parliament of the Australian state of New South Wales, and only the third woman to enter government in Australia. As I write today, it will surprise readers that this thoroughly pioneering Australian female politician represented the Nationalist Party, a direct ancestor of the Liberal Party of Australia, the main centre-right party in Australia today. But there are many other reasons why her story deserves to be better known.
Thankfully Dr Wendy Michaels has spent years ploughing through all the available evidence on Millicent’s life, and written a splendid biography, entitled “A Battle-axe in the Bear Pit : Millicent Preston Stanley MP”. For her part, Wendy has had a distinguished career as an academic, educator, consultant, writer, and festival director. Before her retirement she was a lecturer in the School of Humanities at the University of Newcastle, and has written a host of other books.
Millicent’s story begins with her birth in Sydney in 1883, four months after her parents’ “shot gun” marriage. She came from decidedly working class stock, with her father the son of a convict, while her mother was the daughter of a servant. And her family upbringing was troubled, as her alcoholic father deserted the family, after which her mother obtained a divorce.
Social activism and campaigning became her life, as she advocated for women's rights, health reform, and temperance. With no formal education or training, Millicent served her political apprenticeship in the Women’s Liberal League under Hilma Parkes, one of the founding members of the Womanhood Suffrage League.
Millicent, a skilled networker, outstanding public speaker, and efficient organiser held numerous executive roles in organisations such as the Business Women’s Prohibition League, the Women Justices Association and the Feminist Club. She was also among the first women in New South Wales to become Justices of the Peace and served as president of the Women Justices Association of New South Wales from 1923 to 1926. She also edited The Daily Telegraph Women’s Supplement and wrote articles on women in history, the evolution of women’s legal position, and the international women’s movement.
Millicent believed women must be involved in parliamentary politics in order to achieve the legislative reform needed to improve the lives of women and children. After a previous failed attempt at entering parliament, in May 1925 Millicent was elected to the Eastern Suburbs seat in the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales. On one occasion when a gentleman tossed the ‘battle-axe’ slur at her she riposted, ‘a battle-axe is a pretty useful weapon if it’s kept sharp and bright’.
Although an opposition backbencher, she was determined to ensure custody legislation was amended to give mothers rights in their children. Her efforts led to the eventual passing of the Guardianship of Infants Act in 1934. Sadly, her time in parliament was short-lived, as she was unsuccessful in the 1927 election. But this did not stop this force of nature from working for her social causes.
In 1934 at the age of 51, she married Crawford Vaughan, a widower and former Labor Premier of South Australia. He shared her ideas about temperance, socialism and social justice. She died on 23 June 1955 in the Sydney suburb of Randwick from cerebrovascular disease.
Wendy’s excellent book will surely improve the understanding and appreciation of the life of Millicent, a consequential politician of the first half of the 20th century. Her portrait, which is on display in the Mitchell Library, along with another in the NSW parliament house lobby, and a room in parliament house named after her, will help carry forward the memory of Millicent.
Young Australian women, who are still a long way from enjoying equality of opportunity, will find Millicent’s life a source of inspiration. For this reader, it was also a joy to read and learn more about Australian politics and society of the generations of my parents and grandparents.
Thankfully Dr Wendy Michaels has spent years ploughing through all the available evidence on Millicent’s life, and written a splendid biography, entitled “A Battle-axe in the Bear Pit : Millicent Preston Stanley MP”. For her part, Wendy has had a distinguished career as an academic, educator, consultant, writer, and festival director. Before her retirement she was a lecturer in the School of Humanities at the University of Newcastle, and has written a host of other books.
Millicent’s story begins with her birth in Sydney in 1883, four months after her parents’ “shot gun” marriage. She came from decidedly working class stock, with her father the son of a convict, while her mother was the daughter of a servant. And her family upbringing was troubled, as her alcoholic father deserted the family, after which her mother obtained a divorce.
Social activism and campaigning became her life, as she advocated for women's rights, health reform, and temperance. With no formal education or training, Millicent served her political apprenticeship in the Women’s Liberal League under Hilma Parkes, one of the founding members of the Womanhood Suffrage League.
Millicent, a skilled networker, outstanding public speaker, and efficient organiser held numerous executive roles in organisations such as the Business Women’s Prohibition League, the Women Justices Association and the Feminist Club. She was also among the first women in New South Wales to become Justices of the Peace and served as president of the Women Justices Association of New South Wales from 1923 to 1926. She also edited The Daily Telegraph Women’s Supplement and wrote articles on women in history, the evolution of women’s legal position, and the international women’s movement.
Millicent believed women must be involved in parliamentary politics in order to achieve the legislative reform needed to improve the lives of women and children. After a previous failed attempt at entering parliament, in May 1925 Millicent was elected to the Eastern Suburbs seat in the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales. On one occasion when a gentleman tossed the ‘battle-axe’ slur at her she riposted, ‘a battle-axe is a pretty useful weapon if it’s kept sharp and bright’.
Although an opposition backbencher, she was determined to ensure custody legislation was amended to give mothers rights in their children. Her efforts led to the eventual passing of the Guardianship of Infants Act in 1934. Sadly, her time in parliament was short-lived, as she was unsuccessful in the 1927 election. But this did not stop this force of nature from working for her social causes.
In 1934 at the age of 51, she married Crawford Vaughan, a widower and former Labor Premier of South Australia. He shared her ideas about temperance, socialism and social justice. She died on 23 June 1955 in the Sydney suburb of Randwick from cerebrovascular disease.
Wendy’s excellent book will surely improve the understanding and appreciation of the life of Millicent, a consequential politician of the first half of the 20th century. Her portrait, which is on display in the Mitchell Library, along with another in the NSW parliament house lobby, and a room in parliament house named after her, will help carry forward the memory of Millicent.
Young Australian women, who are still a long way from enjoying equality of opportunity, will find Millicent’s life a source of inspiration. For this reader, it was also a joy to read and learn more about Australian politics and society of the generations of my parents and grandparents.