The vote that shocked the world

The vote that shocked the world

From No One Saw It Coming by ABC Australia

May 17, 2026

About this episode

The episode discusses a pivotal moment in South Australian history where a political gamble led to women's empowerment.

In the week before Christmas 1894, a man in the South Australian parliament rolls the dice. He makes a gamble that he thinks will pay off. It’s incredibly risky because if his gamble goes wrong, he gives half the population something he really doesn’t want to give them. Professor Clare Wright OAM (Historian and author of the best-selling Democracy Trilogy) tells Marc Fennell (Stuff The British Stole) the remarkable story of how a double bluff by a conservative politician ended up empowering South Australian women and making world history. Binge all the episodes of No One Saw It Coming now on ABC listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch: Got a story for us? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at noonesawitcoming@abc.net.au

People in this episode

Host: Marc Fennell

Guest: Clare Wright OAM

Topics covered

  • women's rights
  • political history
  • South Australia
  • gambling
  • empowerment
  • historical events

Keywords

  • South Australia
  • women's suffrage
  • politics
  • Clare Wright
  • Marc Fennell
  • history
  • Democracy Trilogy
  • 1894
  • empowerment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ABC Australia

Books & works: Democracy Trilogy

Places: South Australia

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