Residence The Lodge Formation 1 January 1901 | Inaugural holder Jane Barton | |
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The Spouse of the Prime Minister of Australia is an unofficial title, the holder of which, by convention, is the host or hostess of The Lodge and Kirribilli House, the official residences of the Prime Minister. An unpaid position that has no official responsibilities, the role has gained significance since the 1960s, with the Prime Minister's spouse acting as a key national figure on social issues and a prominent symbol of government. The Spouse also assists the Prime Minister in welcoming foreign dignitaries to Parliament House and the official residences.
Contents
The 18th Prime Minister, John McEwen, was a widower during his short term, but otherwise, until the tenure of the 27th Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, the post had always been filled by a woman; Tim Mathieson was Gillard's de facto partner. Lucy Turnbull is the spouse of the incumbent Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull.
Current
The current spouse of the Prime Minister of Australia is Lucy Turnbull, who assumed the role when her husband became the Prime Minister of Australia on 15 September 2015.
There are currently six living spouses of former prime ministers of Australia:
The most recent spouse of an Australian prime minister to die was Hazel Hawke (ex-wife of Bob Hawke), on 23 May 2013.
Role
The Prime Minister's spouse has no official duties. Some earlier spouses stayed mainly at home and took little part in public life.
However, most recent Prime Ministers' spouses have been involved in charities or community organisations, working to raise public awareness, funds, and support for a range of causes. They generally assist their partners in political campaigns, and participate in official duties that come with the position, such as hosting foreign dignitaries, and, in particular, entertaining the spouses of dignitaries; accompanying the Prime Ministers on national and international trips; attending conferences and functions; and speaking in public, particularly in the Prime Minister's constituency. They have attended the opening of Parliament; hosted visitors at The Lodge and Kirribilli House; visited Buckingham Palace, the White House, or the Japanese Imperial Palace; and been present at royal coronations and conferences.
Others were initially preoccupied with rearing children, most notably Dame Enid Lyons (1932–39), who had 12 children (one died in infancy). In 1943, four years after her husband's death in office, she was the first woman to be elected to the House of Representatives. She was a junior minister in the Menzies Government from 1949 to 1951.
Official recognition
Some Prime Ministers' spouses have received official recognition for their services to the community:
Tamie Fraser was the first spouse of a Prime Minister to be provided with an official secretary for dealing with her correspondence.