The House of Assembly has adopted gender-neutral language for its presiding officer, ending a 167-year-old tradition.
Current and future Speakers will no longer be addressed as “Mr Speaker” or “Madam Speaker”, instead simply referred to as “Speaker” or “Honourable Speaker”.
The change came into effect on Tuesday and is considered “a momentous step forward in providing equity for women”.
Speaker Michelle O’Byrne expressed her belief that language influences our worldview and women’s roles within it.
“Gender-coded language in job titles, whether in parliament or outside of it, reinforces social beliefs and stigma around which jobs ‘belong’ to which gender,” O’Byrne said.
“l have long-held the view that language shapes our view of the world, and of the role of women within it.”
“By removing gendered language from the title of Speaker, it is reinforced that this role is one that can be assumed by any member of parliament, regardless of gender.”
“l am proud to have led this change as part of and so early in, my time as Speaker of the House.”
