Jocelyn Newman

Jocelyn Margaret Newman AO (née Mullett; 8 July 1937 – 1 April 2018) was an Australian politician. She was a Senator for Tasmania for 15 years, and a minister in the Howard government.

Early life and career

Jocelyn Margaret Mullett was born in 1937 in Melbourne, the eldest of three surviving children of Lyndhurst Mullett, a solicitor, and his wife Margaret (née Maughan). She was educated at Mont Albert Central School and Presbyterian Ladies' College. She was a barrister and solicitor before entering Parliament.

Political career

Newman was appointed to the Senate on 13 March 1986. In her first Senate speech, she quoted Dame Enid Lyons's first speech in the House of Representatives [from 1943]: "I know so well that fear, want and idleness can kill the spirit of any people. But I know too that security can be bought at too great a cost—the cost of spiritual freedom."

She served as Minister for Social Security in the first Howard Ministry from March 1996 to October 1998, Minister assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women from March 1996 to October 1997 and Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women from October 1998 to January 2001.

She resigned from parliament on 1 February 2002.

In the 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours Newman was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) "For service to the community through contributions to the development of government policies in relation to social security reform, as an advocate for women's issues, particularly in the health and welfare areas, and as a supporter of local organisations in Tasmania."

Personal life

Newman was married to Kevin Newman from 1961 until his death in 1999, and had two children, including Campbell Newman.

She was successfully treated for breast cancer during her time in office.[citation needed]

Newman died at Berry, New South Wales on 1 April 2018, aged 80, from Alzheimer's disease.

See also

• Political families of Australia