Maiden Speeches / First Speeches

New members of parliament make what is now called a First Speech.

The first speech was once officially known as a maiden speech.

By tradition, new members are heard in silence during their first speech and there are no interjections. One famous exception was when John McEwen interjected during Gough Whitlam’s maiden speech in March 1953.

Maiden Speeches – Video, audio & transcripts

2019

• Elizabeth Coker (ALP-Corangamite) – Maiden Speech September 10, 2019
• Dr Anne Webster (Nats-Mallee) – Maiden Speech August 1, 2019
• Dr Helen Haines (Ind-Indi) – Maiden Speech August 1, 2019
• David Smith (ALP-Bean) – Maiden Speech August 1, 2019
• Dr Daniel Mulino (ALP-Fraser) – Maiden Speech August 1, 2019
• Sen. Nita Green (ALP-Qld) – Maiden Speech July 31, 2019
• Angie Bell (LNP-Moncrieff) – Maiden Speech July 31, 2019
• Sen. Tony Sheldon (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech July 31, 2019
• Terry Young (Lib-Longman) – Maiden Speech July 31, 2019
• Sen. Matt O’Sullivan (Lib-WA) – Maiden Speech July 30, 2019
• Sen. Tim Ayres (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech July 30, 2019
• Sen. Hollie Hughes (Lib-NSW) – Maiden Speech July 30, 2019
• James Stevens (Lib-Sturt) – Maiden Speech July 30, 2019
• Fiona Phillips (ALP-Gilmore) – Maiden Speech July 30, 2019
• Vince Connelly (Lib-Stirling) – Maiden Speech July 29, 2019
• Celia Hammond (Lib-Curtin) – Maiden Speech July 29, 2019
• Katie Allen (Lib-Higgins) – Maiden Speech July 29, 2019
• Fiona Martin (Lib-Reid) – Maiden Speech July 25, 2019
• Dave Sharma (Lib-Wentworth) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
• Sen. Raff Ciccone (ALP-Vic) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
• Gavin Pearce (Lib-Braddon) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
• Sen. Andrew Bragg (Lib-NSW) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
• Alicia Payne (ALP-Canberra) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
• Kate Thwaites (ALP-Jagajaga) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
• Pat Conaghan (Nats-Cowper) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
• Peta Murphy (ALP-Dunkley) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
• Zali Steggall (Ind-Warringah) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
• Sen. Claire Chandler (Lib-Tas) – Maiden Speech July 23, 2019
• Sen. Susan McDonald (Nats-Qld) – Maiden Speech July 23, 2019
• Gladys Liu (Lib-Chisholm) – Maiden Speech July 23, 2019
• Anika Wells (ALP-Lilley) – Maiden Speech July 22, 2019
• Josh Burns (ALP-Macnamara) – Maiden Speech July 22, 2019
• Julian Simmonds (Lib-Ryan) – Maiden Speech July 22, 2019
• Melissa McIntosh (Lib-Lindsay) – Maiden Speech July 22, 2019
• Bridget Archer (Lib-Bass) – Maiden Speech July 4, 2019
• Phillip Thompson (LNP-Herbert) – Maiden Speech July 4, 2019
• Sen. Duncan Spender (LDP-NSW) – Maiden Speech April 3, 2019

2018

• Dr Kerryn Phelps (Ind-Wentworth) – Maiden Speech November 26, 2018
• Sen. David Smith (ALP-ACT) – Maiden Speech June 27, 2018
• Sen. Amanda Stoker (LNP-Qld) – Maiden Speech June 20, 2018
• Ged Kearney (ALP-Batman) – Maiden Speech May 21, 2018
• Sen. Tim Storer (Ind-SA) – Maiden Speech May 9, 2018
• Sen. Kristina Keneally (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech March 27, 2018
• Sen. Steve Martin (Ind-Tas) – Maiden Speech March 21, 2018
• Sen. Jim Molan (Lib-NSW) – Maiden Speech February 14, 2018

2017

• Sen. Andrew Bartlett (Greens-Qld) – Maiden Speech December 5, 2017
• Sen. Rex Patrick (NXT-SA) – Maiden Speech December 4, 2017
• Sen. Jordon Steele-John (Greens-WA) – Maiden Speech November 29, 2017
• Sen. Slade Brockman (Lib-WA) – Maiden Speech October 17, 2017
• Sen. Peter Georgiou (One Nation-WA) – Maiden Speech August 16, 2017
• Sen. Lucy Gichuhi (SA-Ind) – Maiden Speech June 21, 2017

2016

• Sen. Kimberley Kitching (ALP-Vic) – Maiden Speech November 9, 2016
• Julia Banks (Lib-Chisholm) – Maiden Speech September 15, 2016
• Jason Falinski (Lib-Mackellar) – Maiden Speech September 15, 2016
• Trevor Evans (Lib-Brisbane) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
• Damian Drum (Nats-Murray) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
• Julian Leeser (Lib-Berowra) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
• Mike Freelander (ALP-Macarthur) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
• Sen. Malarndirri McCarthy (ALP-NT) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
• Llew O’Brien (Nats-Wide Bay) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
• Sen. Pauline Hanson (One Nation-Qld) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
• Susan Templeman (ALP-Macquarie) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
• Brian Mitchell (ALP-Lyons) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
• Andrew Gee (Nats-Calare) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
• Rebekha Sharkie (NXT-Mayo) – Maiden Speech September 13, 2016
• David Littleproud (LNP-Maranoa) – Maiden Speech September 13, 2016
• Justine Keay (ALP-Braddon) – Maiden Speech September 13, 2016
• Sen. Murray Watt (ALP-Qld) – Maiden Speech September 13, 2016
• Sen. Malcolm Roberts (One Nation-Qld) Maiden Speech September 13, 2016
• Julian Hill (ALP-Bruce) – Maiden Speech September 13, 2016
• Senator Derryn Hinch (DHJP-Vic) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
• Cathy O’Toole (ALP-Herbert) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
• John McVeigh (LNP-Groom) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
• Josh Wilson (ALP-Fremantle) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
• Anne Aly (ALP-Cowan) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
• Emma Husar (ALP-Lindsay) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
• Chris Crewther (Lib-Dunkley) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
• Peter Khalil (ALP-Wills) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
• Senator Jonathon Duniam (Lib-Tas) – Maiden Speech September 1, 2016
• Senator Patrick Dodson (ALP-WA) – Maiden Speech September 1, 2016
• Mike Kelly (ALP – Eden-Monaro) – Second Maiden Speech September 1, 2016
• Ross Hart (ALP-Bass) – Maiden Speech September 1, 2016
• Steve Georganas (ALP-Hindmarsh) – Second First Speech August 31, 2016
• Tim Hammond (ALP-Perth) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2016
• Senator Jane Hume (Lib-Vic) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2016
• Tim Wilson (Lib-Goldstein) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2016
• Luke Gosling (ALP-Solomon) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2016
• Andrew Wallace (LNP-Fisher) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2016
• Linda Burney (ALP-Barton) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2016
• Ted O’Brien (LNP-Fairfax) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2016
• Nicolle Flint (Lib-Boothby) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2016
• Sen. James Paterson (Lib-Vic) – Maiden Speech March 16, 2016
• Trent Zimmerman (Lib-North Sydney) – Maiden Speech March 2, 2016

2015

• Senator Ricky Muir (AMEP-Vic) – Maiden Speech March 5, 2015

2014

• Senator Zhenya Wang (PUP-WA) – Maiden Speech September 23, 2014
• Sen. Jacqui Lambie (PUP-Tas) – Maiden Speech September 3, 2014
• Sen. Bob Day (Family First-SA) – Maiden Speech September 3, 2014
• Sen. Glenn Lazarus (PUP-Qld) – Maiden Speech September 2, 2014
• Sen. Janet Rice (Greens-Vic) – Maiden Speech August 27, 2014
• Sen. Joe Bullock (ALP-WA) – Maiden Speech August 26, 2014
• Sen. Chris Ketter (ALP-Qld) – Maiden Speech August 26, 2014
• Sen. Matthew Canavan (Nats-Qld) – Maiden Speech July 16, 2014
• Sen. James McGrath (Lib-Qld) – Maiden Speech July 16, 2014
• Sen. Linda Reynolds (Lib-WA) – Maiden Speech July 15, 2014
• Sen. David Leyonhjelm (LDP-NSW) – Maiden Speech July 9, 2014
• Terri Butler (ALP-Griffith) – First Speech February 27, 2014

2013

• Luke Howarth (LNP – Petrie) – First Speech December 11, 2013
• Nick Varvaris (Lib – Barton) – First Speech December 11, 2013
• Angus Taylor (Lib – Hume) – First Speech December 10, 2013
• Ann Sudmalis (Lib – Gilmore) – First Speech December 10, 2013
• Ian Goodenough (Lib – Moore) – First Speech December 9, 2013
• Christian Porter (Lib – Pearce) – First Speech December 9, 2013
• Lucy Wicks (Lib – Robertson) – First Speech December 5, 2013
• Karen McNamara (Lib – Dobell) – First Speech December 5, 2013
• Michelle Landry (LNP – Capricornia) – First Speech December 5, 2013
• Andrew Broad (Nats – Mallee) – First Speech December 4, 2013
• Eric Hutchinson (Lib – Lyons) – First Speech December 3, 2013
• Brett Whiteley (Lib – Braddon) – First Speech December 3, 2013
• Clive Palmer (PUP – Fairfax) – Maiden Speech December 2, 2013
• Cathy McGowan (Ind – Indi) – First Speech December 2, 2013
• Clare O’Neil (ALP – Hotham) – First Speech December 2, 2013
• Melissa Price (Lib-Durack) – First Speech December 2, 2013
• Tim Watts (ALP-Gellibrand) – First Speech December 2, 2013
• Rick Wilson (Lib-O’Connor) – First Speech December 2, 2013
• Tony Pasin (Lib – Barker) – First Speech November 21, 2013

2012

• Bob Carr Enters The Senate And Becomes Foreign Minister March 2, 2012

2011

• Sen. Sean Edwards (Lib-SA) – Maiden Speech August 25, 2011

2010

• Giving Substance To The Words November 4, 2010
• Ed Husic (ALP-Chifley) – Maiden Speech October 28, 2010
• Laura Smyth (ALP-La Trobe) – Maiden Speech October 28, 2010
• John Alexander (Lib-Bennelong) – Maiden Speech October 28, 2010
• George Christensen (LNP-Dawson) – Maiden Speech October 27, 2010
• Dan Tehan (Lib-Wannon) – Maiden Speech October 27, 2010
• Wyatt Roy (LNP-Longman) – Maiden Speech October 26, 2010
• Ken O’Dowd (LNP-Flynn) – Maiden Speech October 26, 2010
• Ross Vasta (LNP-Bonner) – Maiden Speech No. 2 October 26, 2010
• Karen Andrews (LNP-McPherson) – Maiden Speech October 25, 2010
• Josh Frydenberg (Lib-Kooyong) – Maiden Speech October 25, 2010
• Natasha Griggs (CLP-Solomon) – Maiden Speech October 18, 2010
• Andrew Leigh (ALP-Fraser) – Maiden Speech October 18, 2010
• Rob Mitchell (ALP-McEwen) – Maiden Speech September 29, 2010
• Ken Wyatt (Lib-Hasluck) – Maiden Speech September 29, 2010
• Jane Prentice (Lib-Ryan) – Maiden Speech September 29, 2010
• Paul Fletcher (Lib-Bradfield) – Maiden Speech February 9, 2010
• Kelly O’Dwyer (Lib-Higgins) – Maiden Speech February 8, 2010

2008

• Rob Oakeshott: First Speech October 22, 2008
• Senator David Feeney: First Speech September 1, 2008
• Craig Thomson (ALP-Dobell) – Maiden Speech February 18, 2008
• Bill Shorten (ALP-Maribyrnong) – Maiden Speech February 14, 2008

2005

• Senator Judith Adams (Lib-W.A) – First Speech August 11, 2005

2004

• Malcolm Turnbull (Lib-Wentworth) – Maiden Speech November 29, 2004
• Sharon Bird (ALP-Cunningham) – Maiden Speech November 29, 2004
• Andrew Robb (Lib-Goldstein) – Maiden Speech November 29, 2004
• Michael Ferguson (Bass-Lib) – First Speech November 17, 2004
• Louise Markus (Lib-Greenway) – Maiden Speech November 17, 2004
• Steve Georganas (ALP-Hindmarsh) – Maiden Speech November 17, 2004

2002

• Greens Senator Kerry Nettle’s First Speech August 21, 2002
• First Speech: Sussan Ley (Liberal, Farrer-NSW) February 13, 2002

1998

• Kevin Rudd (ALP-Griffith) – Maiden Speech November 11, 1998
• Julia Gillard (ALP-Lalor) – Maiden Speech November 11, 1998

1996

• Senator Bob Brown’s Maiden Speech to the Senate September 10, 1996
• Pauline Hanson’s Maiden Speech In The House Of Representatives September 10, 1996
• Joe Hockey (Lib-North Sydney) – Maiden Speech September 10, 1996
• Sen. Stephen Conroy (ALP-Vic) – Maiden Speech May 8, 1996
• Anthony Albanese (ALP-Grayndler) – Maiden Speech May 6, 1996
• Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (Dem-SA) – First Speech May 1, 1996

1994

• Mark Latham (ALP-Werriwa) – Maiden Speech February 22, 1994

1993

• Wayne Swan (ALP-Lilley) – Maiden Speech 1993 May 10, 1993

1990

• Senator Nick Sherry (ALP-Tas) – Maiden Speech September 17, 1990

1989

• Senator John Faulkner (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech May 8, 1989

1983

• Senator Ron Boswell (Nats-Qld) – Maiden Speech May 25, 1983

1959

• Tom Uren (ALP-Reid) – Maiden Speech February 26, 1959

1953

• Gough Whitlam (ALP-Werriwa) – Maiden Speech March 19, 1953