The Australian Women's Register

Summary

Dame Margaret Guilfoyle was the first woman to be appointed to federal Cabinet with portfolio, when, in 1975 she became Education and then Social Security Minister in the Fraser Liberal Government. In 1980 she became the first woman to hold an economic portfolio when she became Minister for Finance. On 31 December 1979 Margaret Guilfoyle was appointed to the Order of the British Empire (Dames Commander) for her services to public and parliamentary service. She left parliament in 1987.

Events

• 2026

  Born: daughter of William and Elizabeth (née Ellis) McCarthy

• 2052

  Married Stanley Martin Leslie Guilfoyle

• 1967 - 1970

  State Chairman Women’s Section Liberal Party

• 1970 - 1973

  Member, Appeal Committee for Hall Residence University Papua New Guinea

• 1968 - 1976

  Honorary National Treasurer, Young Women’s Christian Association Australia

• 1993 - 2000

  Board Member, Australian Institute Family Studies

• 1993 - 1995

  President Board Management, Royal Melbourne Hospital

• 1998 - 2000

  Member, National Health and Medical Research Council

• 1983 - 1984

  Federal Shadow Minister, Taxation and Finance

• 1975 - 1976

  Federal Minister, Assisting the Prime Minister in Child Care Matters

• 1975

  Federal Minister, Education

• 1995 - 2001

  Chair, Judicial Remuneration Tribunal

• 1989

  Director, Australian Children’s Television Foundation

• 1990

  Director, Jack Brockhoff Foundation

• 1990

  Trustee, Mark Fitzpatrick Trust

• 1996

  Deputy Chair, Infertility Treatment Authority

• 2001

  Inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women

• 1980 - 1983

  Federal Minister, Finance

• 1975 - 1980

  Federal Minister, Social Security

• 1971 - 1987

  Senator, Victoria

• 1988 - 2001

  Member, National Mental Health Research Institute