Prudence Jane Goward AO (born 2 September 1952[1]) is an Australian former politician and Liberal member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 2007 to 2019, representing the seat of Goulburn.

In this position, Goward criticised the business community for the "primitive attitudes" that kept women out of senior executive ranks and boardrooms.

[8] At the time of her appointment, she was criticised by Anne Summers, a previous Executive Director, and Carmen Lawrence, a prominent female politician, for her perceived inexperience and political connection to the Howard government.

[9] Goward was the Sex Discrimination Commissioner at HREOC, a five-year tenure she began in July 2001.

In this role, she called for the introduction of paid maternity leave, a position rejected by the Howard government.

[10][11]: 14 In August 2019, Western Sydney University announced that Goward had been appointed Professor of Social Intervention and Policy.

[2] In 2006, Goward nominated for Liberal Party preselection for the New South Wales state parliament in seat of Epping in Sydney's north-west, but was defeated[12] by the former President of the Right to Life Association, Greg Smith.

[13] She was subsequently preselected unopposed for the seat of Goulburn, to replace retiring Liberal frontbencher Peta Seaton.

Her main contender, the Independent Mayor of Goulburn, Paul Stephenson, conceded defeat on 29 March 2007.

"[17] Due to the resignation of Barry O'Farrell as premier,[18] and the subsequent ministerial reshuffle by Mike Baird, the new Liberal Leader, in April 2014 in addition to her existing responsibilities as a minister, Goward was appointed as the Minister for Planning; and lost the portfolio of Family and Community Services.