Haines, Janine (1945-2004), was the first woman in Australian history to head a political party. She was leader of the Australian Democrats from 1986 to 1990. Haines also was the first member of the Australian Democrats to serve in the Senate.
Haines was born in Tanunda, South Australia, on May 8, 1945. She was educated at the University of Adelaide and became a teacher. Haines first entered Parliament in 1977 to fill a Senate vacancy. In 1986, she became the leader of the Democrats following the retirement of Don Chipp, the party’s founder. In 1990, she was unsuccessful in an attempt to win a seat in the House of Representatives. After the 1990 election, Janet Powell became the leader of the Democrats.
Haines wrote a book about women in politics, Suffrage to Sufferance (1992). She died on Nov. 20, 2004.
