The Canadian Prime Minister has praised Australia for being the first to allow women to vote – despite New Zealand holding that title.
By Lillian Hanly for RNZ
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour cheekily clapped back, saying Canada’s “founder George Washington would be really embarrassed”.
Mark Carney was addressing the Australian Federal Parliament in Canberra on the last day of a visit to the country.
“Let us remember that Australia was the first nation in the world to give women the right to vote and to stand for Parliament,” he said, with those in the Australian Parliament responding “hear hear”.
“Your example, your example has inspired the world ever since. And that act of democratic extension – choosing to widen the circle rather than guard its edges, is the fundamental instinct that drives our common civic nationalism.”
Women in New Zealand were able to vote in 1893, while South Australia enfranchised women in 1894 and Western Australia did so in 1899.
It wasn’t until 1902 that all women in Australia were able to vote in federal elections. First Nations men and women in Australia were not able to vote in federal elections until 1962.
Seymour said it was a bit embarrassing the Canadian Prime Minister didn’t know New Zealand was the first to allow women to vote.
“I think that their founder, George Washington, would be really embarrassed,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“That’s a bit embarrassing for Mark,” he said, and suggested Carney come and visit New Zealand and “get to know a bit more about our wonderful history”.