And your petitioners humbly pray ...

Women

'Monster' Petition for Women's Suffrage 1891

Presented by James Munro MP

Victoria’s constitution of 1855 did not give women the right to vote. In 1891, Premier James Munro said he would introduce a bill for women’s suffrage if it were demonstrated that ordinary women wanted this right.

The Victorian Christian Temperance Union and the Women’s Suffrage Society joined forces to organise a petition. Embarking on a doorknocking campaign across Victoria, they collected almost 30,000 signatures in six weeks. Among the significant signatories was Jane Munro, wife of the Premier.

The petition was called the ‘Monster Petition’ due to its size (approximately 260 metres long). Several attendants were required to carry it into Parliament.

Although women in Victoria did not gain the right to vote in state elections until 1908, this petition was instrumental in raising the profile of the women’s suffrage movement.

Divorce Cases in Newspapers 1884

Presented by Henry Wrixon MP

In general, court proceedings are open to the public and may be reported in the press. Here, the Melbourne Diocese of the Church of England petitioned Parliament to prohibit publication of cases brought before the Divorce Court. They argued that publication of these details familiarised the young with “impurity” and pollutes the “atmosphere of social life”.

Factories Act 1901

Presented by George Prendergast MP

In the 1880s, Victorian workers achieved a major improvement to working conditions when they gained the eight-hour day. Further improvements were made through the 1890s. However, these changes did little to benefit domestic workers in Victoria, most of whom were women. Domestic workers were poorly paid and worked very long hours, often more than 14 hours per day. In 1901, approximately 40 per cent of working women were employed in domestic service.

Domestic workers petitioned for their hours to be fixed at 60 hours per week and that every alternate Sunday be given as a complete day of rest. They also requested that proper accommodation be provided for domestic workers and recommended the appointment of an “Inspectoress, so that the bed accommodation given to workers may be inspected”.

Infant Life Protection Bill 1907

Presented by Robert McCutcheon MP

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ‘baby-farming’ was a common way of finding homes for infants whose parents could not care for them. This unregulated practice involved fostering infants to women or families for payment.

During the 1880s and 1890s, many cases of ill-treatment by ‘baby-farmers’ were revealed, and a number of ‘baby-farmers’ were hanged for murdering infants in their care. Laws were made to prevent illegal baby-farming and to better monitor the welfare of children in foster care.

In 1905, baby-farming became the subject of an active campaign, inspired by growing concerns for the welfare of women and children. This petition claimed that “the only effective means of giving protection to infant life” was through the system of ‘Cottage Homes’ under the supervision of trained ‘house-mothers’.

Women's Petition 2001

Presented by Judy Maddigan MP

The Women’s Participation in Local Government Coalition started this petition as part of celebrations for the centenary of Federation. Drawing inspiration from the Women’s Suffrage Petition of 1891 (also in this exhibition), the Coalition sought an opportunity to give women a public forum to discuss major issues of concern.

More than 2,000 women across the State participated in workshops to identify the issues to be recorded in this petition. They included equal representation of women in all areas of decision making; economic independence and security; genuine equal pay for equal work; access to quality child care; and positive portrayals of women in the media.

The petition, bearing 41,487 signatures, was ceremonially presented to the Premier at a special event on 7 May 2001 and officially tabled in Parliament several weeks later.

Presentation of Women's Petition to Premier Steve Bracks, 7 May 2001