Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Fifty years ago, the first ever women's adviser to the PM was appointed. Here's why that's significant today

SBS News In Depth

Follow and Subscribe

Elizabeth Reid was the world's first ever adviser on women's issues appointed by a head of government.

Elizabeth Reid was the first person in the world to be appointed to the role of adviser on women's issues to a head of government 50 years ago today. Source: Supplied / Elizabeth Reid

Today marks 50 years since an historic appointment - the creation of the role women's adviser to the prime minister in an Australian-first and a world-first.

Follow and Subscribe

Apple Podcasts Spotify Listnr Download (16.9MB)
Download the SBS Audio appAvailable on iOS and Android

Published

Source: SBS News

Share this with family and friends

Today marks 50 years since an historic appointment - the creation of the role women's adviser to the prime minister in an Australian-first and a world-first.

Elizabeth Reid was appointed to the role on 8 April, 1973, serving in the role for two-and-a-half years in the Gough Whitlam government.

She reflects on that history-making moment with Biwa Kwan and looks to the challenges that lie ahead.

Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.

Latest podcast episodes

Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world