There is nothing in the black letter law of the Constitution of Australia to say that women should be prohibited from being elected to Parliament, yet women were prohibited from being elected to Australia's first Parliament.

Why? ... because that was the original intent of the Westminster Parliament which enacted the Commonwealth of Australia Act 1900, a parliament which prohibited women.

The original intent of those who enact legislation accompanies law.

Australia's Constitution has never been amended to overturn the original intent that men boss over women which accompanied its enactment.

The Westminster Parliament enacted men's legislatures only.

The Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 grants women the vote and admission to Parliament but legislation cannot change a Constitution's original intent.

Australia's Constitution provides for a Referendum to change original intent.

What the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 did was extend male supervision of women to the nation's legislatures.

10 December, 2009