13 Facts About Carol Kidu

Dame Carol Anne Kidu, known as Carol, Lady Kidu, is an Australian-born Papua New Guinean politician.

Carol Kidu was the leader of the Melanesian Alliance Party until her retirement.

Lady Carol Kidu entered politics in 1997, standing as an independent candidate in the parliamentary elections, and was elected Member of Parliament for the Port Moresby South constituency.

Carol Kidu proposed forming a one-woman opposition and, in the absence of other contenders, to be recognised as Leader of the Opposition.

Carol Kidu is the first woman to occupy that position.

Carol Kidu stated she would use her remaining time in Parliament to consolidate the role of the Opposition for the future, hoping to obtain parliamentary staff for the Opposition, and a change in parliamentary procedures to strengthen it.

Carol Kidu has been outspoken in her criticism of the controversial Judicial Conduct Law, rushed through by the O'Neill Government and Speaker Jeffrey Nape, which empowers the government to suspend judges.

Carol Kidu chose not to re-contest her seat of Moresby-South in the 2012 general election and retired from politics at the end of her third term in July 2012.

Carol Kidu is a member of the High-Level Task Force for the International Conference on Population and Development and sits on the board of the Pacific Institute of Public Policy and the Nationwide Microbank.

Carol, Lady Kidu was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in January 2005.

Carol Kidu was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2023 Australia Day Honours for "distinguished service to human rights, to community development, and to international relations".

Dame Carol Kidu received the PNG International Woman of Courage Award from the Secretary of State of the United States of America in 2007.

Carol Kidu has received honorary doctorates from Vudal University, the University of Queensland and the University of Papua New Guinea in recognition of her services to the people of Papua New Guinea.