14 October 1903, Liberty Hall, Portland, Victoria, Australia
This speech was sourced by podcast guest Professor Clare Wright for her book ‘You Daughters of Freedom’. It was originally reported verbatim in the Portland Gazette in the third person. Prof Wright changed it to first person to recreate the actual feel of the speech. It has also been abridged to be read at Sydney Writers Festival ‘Friends Romans Countrymen’ event in 2022. Audio used with permission.
Miss Goldstein, on rising, was met with loud applause.
The people of Portland all know why I have decided to open my campaign here, and I will only add that when that decision was announced the people of Melbourne wanted to know why I was going to Portland, and even where Portland was, and disappointment was felt that Melbourne had not been selected.
The step I am taking is unique in the history of the world, and may be called history- making in Australia. Portland is the place most connected with the early history of Australia, and the honour, I have decided, of the first address of a woman candidate for a seat in Parliament by the joint franchise should be given to Portland. (Applause.)
The idea of a woman candidate is so unusual in British Dominions that to some it seems a revolutionary step. There have been women in Parliament in Great Britain, but they are there by (hereditary) right and in the interests of their landed property and naturally are not parallel cases. They take their seats and consider such quite proper to represent their vested interests. We have got beyond that idea, and the right now is that of the franchise—the modern right now of every sane law-abiding citizen—the Government of the people by the people for the people, and which was secured in 1902, and which now is by man and woman for men and women.
So the old order passeth away and the old conditions for the Commonwealth of Australia changeth. The Australian nation has been the first to adopt that just democratic idea, without respect to property.
The Woman's Federal Political Association has requested me to be nominated for the Federal Election, and after consideration I have consented.
I will have all the hard work of holding meetings to organise my campaign, and naturally have to start out greatly handicapped to the men candidates. I hold a deep- rooted principal that woman should step out and assume her share of the responsibilities of the office … I know I must have those who believe in woman for home duties and such like against me, but I believe it is the duty of woman to take her share in the work to protect her interests, and that she should take the deepest interest in political matters.
Personally, I have no axe to grind, and if I desire a peaceful life I should remain out of politics. I believe, however, that woman should go in for some of these duties, not for self-interest or the amount of money hanging to it, as so many men do, but because it should be the duty of all to do the best they can for the State, one way or the other.
I am convinced I could do my share if elected to Parliament, (applause), and that expressions of opinion given on the floor of the House by woman will not be altogether valueless. (Applause.)
It used to be hard to get the ear of a member of Parliament if you were not a voter, but now we have one it is far different. There are many unjust laws on the Statute books … For instance the law of custodian in which the wife has no right to her children, and which the husband can will away, and the mother is absolutely without power to stop the taking away of her child. Do some of you now wonder we want a voice in the making of the laws? (Applause.)
If elected I do not intend to ally myself with anyone; I am going on my own. (Applause.)
I do not approve of party Government, as Government on strict party lines is Government by machinery. One objection is that it must be my party, right or wrong. Party organs, such as newspapers, are dangerous. The party arranges a platform and this is to be gone for blindly or as dictated to by the party organisations. (Applause.)
I favour the public democratic principle to think for one's self, and not to suffer the despotism of Russia.
Regarding the Fiscal Question, I must confess to be a protectionist—(applause)—although it would be more in my line to call myself a fiscal athiest. Women, children, duty, low wages, &c., are not ones which are troubled by the fiscal question. Over free trade and protection I do not get keenly excited—I let the men get excited instead.
I am in favor of White Australia, but against the deportation of the poor Kanakas, who have been brought to the State, and to deport them means in some cases death through intermarrying. They should not insist on the deportations. (Applause.) Having brought the Kanakas here our people should be prepared to bear the consequences, but no more should be allowed in. These people have been civilised, christianised, educated, and there is no reason to force them out. I am decidedly opposed to colored people coming in. Those who are going for a White Australia are going bald-headed for it. (Laughter.)
I am rather wobbly on Assisted Immigration, as I have seen a good deal of this since going to America, where I have seen 1oo,ooo dumped down in New York to swell the labor market and give cheap labor. (Applause.)
Arbitration and Conciliation have my support, as I believe it would stem endless trouble and loss, and do away with the bitterness and distress of lock-outs and strikes.
The establishing of a Federal Capital and building of a Transcontinental railway I am not in favor of, chiefly on account of the wild expense likely to be involved. (Applause.)
It is so seldom that I have such an opportunity to address a meeting like this that I can not resist the temptation to speak to the women and impress upon you the necessity of using your power to secure your rights!
