Janice Crosio

Summary

Janice Ann Crosio AM, MBE (née Gustard; born 3 January 1939) is an Australian politician from the Labor Party. She was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, and became the first woman Cabinet minister in New South Wales. Later she was a member of the Australian House of Representatives, and a Parliamentary Secretary.

Janice Crosio
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Prospect
In office
24 March 1990 – 31 August 2004
Preceded byDick Klugman
Succeeded byChris Bowen
NSW Minister for Local Government
In office
6 February 1986 – 25 March 1988
PremierNeville Wran
Barrie Unsworth
Preceded byPeter Anderson
Succeeded byDavid Hay
Personal details
Born
Janice Ann Gustard

(1939-01-03) 3 January 1939 (age 85)
Granville, New South Wales, Australia
Political partyNSW Labor
SpouseIvo Crosio
OccupationLocal councillor

Early life edit

Crosio was born in the Sydney suburb of Granville[1] and educated at Strathfield Girls High School. In 1957, she married Ivo Crosio and they have one son and twin daughters. She was an alderman of Fairfield City Council in suburban Sydney from 1971 to 1980 and Mayor from 1974 to 1975 and 1977 to 1980.[2]

State politics edit

Crosio was the first woman elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in thirty years, representing Fairfield from 1981 to 1988 and Smithfield from 1988 to 1990. She was the first woman Cabinet minister in New South Wales: Minister for Natural Resources from 1984 to 1986, Minister for Local Government from 1986 to 1988 and Minister for Water Resources from 1986 to 1988.[2]

Federal politics edit

Crosio represented Prospect, New South Wales from March 1990 to October 2004. She was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Arts and Administrative Services in 1993, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment, Sport and Territories 1993–94 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Security 1994–96. Crosio was Chief Opposition Whip 2001–04. She retired at the 2004 election.[3]

Honours edit

Crosio was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to local government and the community in 1978. She was made Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1980 for services to the Italian Community. In 2006 she was made a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in recognition of her service to the Parliaments of the Australian Commonwealth and of New South Wales, her service to her municipality and also for her pioneering of women's participation in politics.[2][4]

References edit

  1. ^ "Crosio, Janice Ann (1939– )". The Australian Women's Register. National Foundation for Australian Women. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "The Hon. Janice Ann Crosio (1939 – )". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Hon Janice Crosio". Former members of the Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Crosio, Janice Ann". It's an honour. Australian Government. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
Civic offices
Preceded by
Les Powell
Mayor of Fairfield
1974–1975
Succeeded by
Ernest Loveday
Preceded by
Warren Colless
Mayor of Fairfield
1977–1980
Succeeded by
Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by Member for Fairfield
1981–1988
Succeeded by
New district Member for Smithfield
1988–1990
Succeeded by
Political offices
New title Minister for Natural Resources
1984–1986
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Local Government
1986–1988
Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Paul Whelan
Minister for Water Resources
1986–1988
Vacant
Title next held by
Ian Causley
Vacant
Title last held by
Terry Sheahan
Assistant Minister for Transport
1987–1988
With: John Akister
Vacant
Title next held by
Tim Moore
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member for Prospect
1990–2004
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Chief Whip of the Australian Labor Party
2001–2004
With: Danby, Quick
Succeeded by