'Deserve our recognition': Three trailblazers of Australian politics to be immortalised

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced two sculptures have been ordered, one for the first two women elected to federal Parliament, Enid Lyons and Dorothy Tangney, and another for the first Indigenous Australian in Parliament, Neville Bonner.

"Enid Lyons, Dorothy Tangney and Neville Bonner laid the path for those who have followed and they rightly deserve our recognition," Mr Morrison said.

"It's important we never forget those who shaped our history so that ours and future generations are always reminded of the sacrifices they made and the courage they showed."

Historians and journalists have urged greater commemoration for Australians in all their diversity, and better recognition of Indigenous and women leaders in the parliamentary zone.

They have also called for decisions about statues and memorials in the space to involve more consultation with the community.

$1.25 million has been set aside for the sculptures and the National Capital Authority is charged with working with descendants and family members in developing them.

It is expected the sculpture of Lyons and Tangney will recreate the iconic 1943 photo of the women entering parliament together.

This month marks 50 year since Neville Bonner was appointed by the Queensland Parliament to fill a casual vacancy in the Senate. He later became the first Indigenous Australian elected by popular vote.

Enid Lyons was the first woman elected to the House of Representatives and the first woman to serve in federal cabinet. Dorothy Tangney was the first woman elected to the Senate.

The two sculptures are due to be completed in 2022 and be set near Old Parliament House.

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