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.

The Honourable
Jocelyn Newman
AO
Minister for Social Security
In office
11 March 1996 – 21 October 1998
Prime MinisterJohn Howard
Preceded byPeter Baldwin
Succeeded byJoe Hockey
Minister for Family and Community Services
In office
21 October 1998 – 30 January 2001
Prime MinisterJohn Howard
Preceded byMichael Wooldridge
Succeeded byAmanda Vanstone
Senator for Tasmania
In office
13 March 1986 – 1 February 2002
Preceded byPeter Rae
Succeeded byRichard Colbeck
Personal details
Born
Jocelyn Margaret Mullett

(1937-07-08)8 July 1937
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died1 April 2018(2018-04-01) (aged 80)
Berry, New South Wales, Australia
CitizenshipAustralian
Political partyLiberal Party of Australia
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1961; died 1999)​
ChildrenCampbell Newman, Kate Roff
Residence(s)Berry, New South Wales, Australia
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
ProfessionBarrister, solicitor

Political career

Jocelyn Margaret Mullett was born 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.

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."[1]

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.[1][2]

She resigned from parliament on 1 February 2002.[1]

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."[3]

Personal life

Newman was married to Kevin Newman from 1961 until his death in 1999, and had two children, including Campbell Newman.[1][4][5]

She was successfully treated for breast cancer during her time in office.

Newman died at Berry, New South Wales on 1 April 2018, aged 80, from Alzheimer's disease.[4][5]

References
  1. Bennett, Scott. "NEWMAN, Jocelyn Margaret (1937– 2018)". The Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  2. "Former Senator Jocelyn Newman". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  3. "Order of Australia (AO) entry for The Honourable Jocelyn Margaret Newman". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 13 June 2005. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  4. "Ex-minister Newman dies after long illness". SBS News. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  5. Gartrell, Adam. "Howard government minister Jocelyn Newman loses Alzheimer's battle". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 1 April 2018.

 


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