GENDER WARFARE IN THE HOUSE
UPDATE, Wednesday, 10 October: Julia Gillard was in fine, fiery form in Parliament House yesterday as she excoriated Tony Abbott for being a sexist and misogynist.
Do watch the footage of it HERE – whether you’re a Gillard supporter or not, she gave a brilliant performance.
It was an extraordinary day in politics, capped off last night by the resignation of disgraced Speaker Peter Slipper, who quit just after surviving a motion from the Opposition to dump him.
Earlier in the afternoon, the heat was turned up on the sexism in politics debate many notches when Gillard attacked Abbott, who had referred to Speaker Peter Slipper’s sexism and “truly gross references to female genitalia” in controversial text messages.
“I will not be lectured on sexism and misogyny by this man, I will not…not now, not ever.
“The Leader of the Opposition says that people who hold sexist views and are misogynist are not appropriate for high office. Well I hope the Leader of the Opposition has got a piece of paper and is writing out his resignation because if he wants to know what misogyny looks like in modern Australia, he doesn’t need a motion in the House of Representatives, he needs a mirror.”
Gillard listed a litany of sexist offences by Abbott as she saw them, saying: “I was offended by those things – misogyny, sexism, every day from this leader of the opposition.”
It’s was a big day for gender and politics.
Here’s what Lucy Clark wrote earlier…
Julia Gillard told a lovely –and telling – little anecdote during a speech at a “powerful women’s” breakfast in Canberra today.
She was talking about how delightful it was to meet people around the country, women and men, who may be having conversations with their daughters about their lifetime aspirations, and that there are “no closed doors” any longer.
Leading a generation of change. PM Julia Gillard at this morning’s breakfast in Canberra. Image via theage.com.au.
“Indeed,” she said, “A friend of mine who has a very young son told me about a conversation she had with her son where she said to him – talking about what you might want to do when he was a much bigger person, he was only four or five when this conversation happened – you could be prime minister.
“To which he said: “No I couldn’t Mummy because you’ve got to be a girl to do that job.”
Ah, generational change. You’ve gotta love it.
It was an amusement, a bon mot, but Gillard was quick to add “that’s not exactly the impression we’re seeking to leave, but the impression we do want to leave for the girls and the boys of Australia is that there are no closed doors. That this occupation, all occupations are open to women and to men.”
Gillard also wistfully (and wishfully) projected to a future where it will be “routine” for there to be equal numbers of men and women in parliament.
“Women aren’t unusual in politics any longer, but we’re not half-half either…And I believe that the ultimate end point to this generation of change – and I absolutely believe I’ll live to see it – is an Australia in which we don’t bother to reflect on how many men and how many women are in politics any longer because it is so routine for it to be half-half.”
It was intriguing that this came after yesterday’s story in which Queensland LNP Senator Sue Boyce attacked her own party for not attracting enough women into politics. They were “damning comments”, as the Courier Mail’s Steven Scott said, while Tony Abbott is trying to lift his appeal to women.
Boyce also said the LNP was in danger of being taken over by social conservatives, but that’s another story.
As tiresome accusations fly about Labor’s “handbag hitsquad” and Tony Abbott’s image problem with 51 percent of the population, it seems Gillard’s utopian future can’t come quickly enough.
Julia Gillard in parliament this afternoon.
Back in her earlier speech this morning she said: “…yes, being the first female Prime Minister also attracts some commentary of the negative kind – and you know what I’m talking about when I refer to that. But I think it is a by-product of this generation of change.”
This is grace and generosity in the face of yet more disgraceful misogynist slurs heaped upon the woman holding the highest officer in the land who, as she conducted a live Q&A session on her Facebook page about education yesterday, was called a “slut”, she was asked, “Are your pubes as radiant, shiny and glorious as mine?” she was told “McPiss off you red-headed bloody McClown” and “Get my dinner ready.”
She was also asked, “how’s your dad?” All this was so disgusting it made news in the USA at Salon.com under the headline “Australian’s Prime Minister bullied online.”
But for Gillard “the negative commentary has never detracted from the real delight of having the opportunity – not only to change perceptions – but to change the nation.”
Good for her. But it makes you wonder, would you want your children – daughters in particular – to go into politics?
Will we see equal numbers of men and women in Parliament in our lifetime?
And are the ongoing attacks on our Prime Minister just a by-product of generational change?
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*Lucy Clark (Editor of The Hoopla) is a journalist and editor with almost thirty years experience in newspapers and magazines in Sydney, London, and New York. She has been published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs, Vogue Living, Australian Art Review, and Gourmet Traveller. Most recently the Books Editor of the Sunday Telegraph, she has also contributed to the non-fiction books, Australia Through Time, and What Women Want. You can follow her on twitter: @lucykateclark.
49 Responses to this article
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Carole October 9, 2012
The PM gave a great speech in Parliament today, she absolutely wiped the floor with the
BORN AGAIN. – WARM & FLUFFY. FEMINIST,
Tony Abbott , who apparently “doesn’t want to be involved in dirty politics” anymore.What a great woman she is , unlike Abbott ( whose bleating that he’s a poor victim of a campaign to slur him ) ,she’s taken all the vile and disgusting abuse on the chin and continued forward .
She quoted back to him many of the mysogynist
and sexist things that he has said over recent
years.
Maybe the Abbott women should take note and ask themselves why they have not been offended enough to speak out before this .
Yes I would be proud to have my daughter in the Parliament , the more women the sooner the sexism will stop.
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Mez October 9, 2012
I hope that my daughter becomes whatever she aspires to but I hope she does it with integrity, dignity, respect for the institution of marriage and the strength of character that hasn’t been apparent in Gillard.
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Joni October 9, 2012
Same here!
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Lyn October 9, 2012
It is about time that Julia gave back. She has copped so much crap lately. She should do this more often. Go girl.
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Glen October 9, 2012
If only she was so “sensible” and “fair” regarding Gay Marriage. Other than that, go girl.
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Trisha October 9, 2012
Julia Gillard’s double standards are extraordinary. It defies logic that any intelligent person can back her when she so consistently does things herself that she accuses the opposition of.
Pot ….. Kettle ……black (and old Welsh saying)!-
Rosie October 10, 2012
Trisha – that is some ambiguous statement – not one fact to back up what you said.
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Nancy October 9, 2012
I wanted to cheer, keep digging Tony, keep digging.
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Africa zanella October 9, 2012
Hi Lucy
Great report . However I do think that more attention needs to be placed in the Workplace as well . I am and have been following the issues if appointment to company boards . In many ways the equivalent of high level political positions . Sorry to say that we are badly represented as non executive directors competed to the EU where there is a quota system they have a 30 percent participation versus 17 percent in Australia ( nearly half the percentage number). The EU is moving faster with a legislation to have 40 percent implementation by quotes in all countries . Some countries are already at this level in public companies .
This bastion of power needs to open and follow the equality philosophy that it deserves and which the PM rightly alludes to .. Fairness in the gender front and opportunity .
I am a former member of the NSW premier council for Women and a bipartisan supporter ( non aligned to politics) of equal rights at work at all levels of business .( and if course Government , academia social devices etc etc) in society.
Best wishes
Africa Zanella
Ex fellow if the Australian Institute of Company Directors. -
Amanda October 9, 2012
Quick question for Trisha. Can you give me an example of Ms Gillard’s double standards in relation to misogyny?
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The Huntress October 9, 2012
A fine performance from our PM. Definitely the highlight of my day, I enjoyed every second of it.
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jessie October 9, 2012
Gillard is a hpercrite – happy to support a man with very questionable character, but continues her tirade against Abbot. All for a vote in the House of Reps.
I doubt that I have seen a more disingenuous politician in my life. Her actions are appalling and I am not the only one who see her for what she is.
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MemKate October 14, 2012
Gillard is a hypocrite. She has double standards when it comes to misogyny which she uses for PC. She supported the bi-s_xual misogynist Slipper for political gain.
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Rhoda October 9, 2012
Peter Slipper resigned? GOOD!
Julia gives as good as she got – GOOD!
And I bet she did it with more grace than the men who have it in for it have done.
Let’s hate Julia because she’s female – grow UP!
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Leonie Smith October 9, 2012
I just can’t believe that Tony Abbot said “dying of shame” in his speech preceding her’s that was such a nasty low blow. What was he thinking? It signals his support for Alan Jones, and signals that he doesn’t care if that Alan Jones comment hurt our Prime Minister or her family. Very very tacky. He was goading her like a nasty little boy tormenting someone. My opinion of Tony Abbot has definitely changed because of that comment in his speech. I did have a relatively open mind towards him previously although not a Liberal voter but that comment showed me what he is really about. Cruel and savage and un principled.
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Susan the Sane October 10, 2012
Tony Abbott’s double standards are extraordinary. It defies logic that any intelligent person can back him when he so consistently does things himself that he accuses government of.
Pot ….. Kettle ……black (and old Welsh saying)!
Yeah! NOW this makes sense!
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Nat October 9, 2012
I’ve adored watching the full 15 mins of Julia’s reply. Glorious. She was focused, articulate, passionate and right. When tony parodied Alan jones words, she came out all guns blazing. I hope we see more of this side of her. For too long she has had these insults given to her and she has said nothing.
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William Marshall October 9, 2012
any chance these folks arguing over policy anytime soon?
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Miranda Muer October 10, 2012
What’s with the “daughters in particular” comment???? Great summarising of todays anti-mysogyny/sexism debate Lucy, but you conclude and render your whole article worthless by your comment/question: “Good for her. “But it makes you wonder, would you want your children – daughters in particular – to go into politics?” “Daughters in particular” ??????…….. oh dear……..this is exactly the subtle implying/persuading from society directed at girls/women, that such and such is not a “suitable profession” for females, that we females are trying to break through. Go Julia Gillard. It’s also the women you have to educate/transform.
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helenbea October 10, 2012
Well said Miranda1 Someone has to break through ‘the glass ceiling’ the consciousness, in order for change to happen. Those brave souls who take the first steps are doing it for everyone, whether it’s about gender, climbing mountains, exploring new ideas.
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Trisha October 10, 2012
At first I thought the PM’s performance was fantastic but as events unfolded yesterday, Slippers resignation and then seeing Albebese on 7:30 I am just fed up with politics.
I agree with Trisha – the PM/ labour is being hypocritical by lashing out at Tony Abbott and not condemning Peter Slipper with equal vitriol..I think there was much more dignity when Julia Gillard didn’t make much of Alan Jones’ comment but she really over did it yesterday by using it in her attack against Abbott.
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Kate October 10, 2012
@ Trisha. No, she didn’t. He chose to go there – and the look on his face when she spoke said everything. He knew he’d gone too far.
As for the defence – was it Slipper she was defending, of the position of speaker? To have let the removal of the Speaker happen on the floor of the house would have set a very dangerous precedent indeed. You might think I’m naive, but I could see why she did what she did; and I can also see why she quite willingly accepted his resignation very shortly thereafter.
Don’t forget, LNP was more than happy to tolerate Slipper for 15 years. They protest too much.
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helenbea October 10, 2012
Quite agree Kate. The PM is a lawyer, so legal protocol and procedure are very much a part of who she is. she’s shown this aspect many times.
I just loved her performance in parliament! I am happy to have my perceptions confirmed with regard to JG’s shift in consciousness and the wake up call which I mentioned on this site a couple of months back…whether Julia Gillard would take us to the next election. Apologies for publicly celebrating…no, I’m not gloating. (astrology…yes…astrology all you non-believers!)
Wonderful to see her showing her true colours! Her strength will grow.
Saturn is out of Libra (her sun sign) as of last Saturday and is now in Scorpio – sacred cows will be challenged. transformed, die.
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Jacqueline Anderson October 10, 2012
I will give you another one, Trisha. Sow. reap.(maybe an old Welsh saying or maybe not). And that’s what happened to Tony Abbott. He reaped what he has sown with his misogyny and his vile, disrespectful attitude towards the PM and women in general. Julia wiped the floor with him. If I had a daughter I would play the footage of her speech to her every morning before she went out into the world and hopefully one day she would also become PM.
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helenbea October 10, 2012
Jacqueline…love it!!!
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maggie October 10, 2012
The resignation of The Speaker of the house was welcomed by both sides of the House…and Labor was the criticised as being hypocrites for not sacking him… Are the Coalition considered to be hypocrites for endorsing Peter Slipper to be elected to office in the first place, and as agreed today they will be accepting his vote when they consider it necessary….His Text messages may have been inappropriate but were made to one person … Tony Abbott’s comments are recorded for the world to see and hear but are considered by some to be acceptable
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Amanda October 10, 2012
An example of misogynist behaviour, for those who don’t recognise it, can be observed in Chris Pyne’s attempt to ridifule and trivialise the point the PM was making. And don’t forget to get a good look at the idiot laughing behind him.
http://media.smh.com.au/news/national-times/point-of-order-is-bloke-sexist-3702539.html?from=newsbox -
Pete Fumberger October 11, 2012
Couldn’t wait to see what absolute tripe one of the ‘journos’ biled up on my favourite bull dyke blog, and Lucy, you didn’t let me down. And neither did most of the commenters, lauding you for such an incisive, wonderfully written, excoriation of of Abbott and so full of praise for that hugely empowering ‘woman’ that is, sadly, still our PM.
Firstly, this hairy armpitted brigade came out in droves, excoriating Mrs Abbott for defending her husband. and now this superb defence of what is, if you are a normal (and never mind the gender) person, truly indefensible.
gillard is a truly vile slag of immense proportions. And you lot defend her for no other reason than she is, and this is debatable, a woman.
Again, for those slow witted amongst you, she loves to root married men (empowering in women I know, but men who do it, married men rooting around, they’re just pigs, right?), breaks up marriages, plays the gender card because that is all this thing has in its arsenal, as she is incompetent to the max, surrounded by other incompetents.
Oh look, those nasty men, and many women, all misogynistic nutjobs, picking on poor defencless me because I am a woman.
She fishwifed on like a shrieking banshee, calling Abbott a misogynist, all the while, it and her idiotic team voted to allow shell-less mussel man slipper to stay as speaker. And then, cowards who back krudd but also voted to retain slipper, have a go at gillard for her misogynistic stance. What the!!!!!!
And you can’t see what the problem is there? One is a pig, a misogynist, while the other, Abbott, is perceived as such, by women like yourselves, who just want a woman in power.
That is it in a nutshell.
For all you bull dyke marriedies, go and tell your daughters that when they have sex, it is more than okay for a man, or woman, depending on the dykiness of said daughter, or heteronormativeness, that if whomsoever, when feasting on the delicious pink parts, says that her genitals look like a shell-less mussel, that it is okay. But, if they say also that it smells like a shell-less mussel, kick them out of the bed and go give yourself a huge douching and disinfecting.
Strangely enough, I am not a fan of Abbott’s, as he just sits there taking it in the dot, without having his say. That would be because, no matter what he says, the hairy armpitted lot, like this blog, and all the other bull dykes out there, would call him a misogynist (again and again, ad nauseum) and a coward for picking on such a defencless petal like our vile PM.
Personally, I think he should get up in parliament, and tell it like it is. That gillard roots married men, her father was a vile commie and was proud, not ashamed, of her wrecking our wonderful country, by her lies and lies and lies (no carbon tax being just one). Oh but her defenders shriek, she didn’t lie, she just changed her stance because she was Brown’s bitch (jesus, what a picture that conjures up, now that would be more disgusting than seeing two fat, saggy titted bull dykes going at it), all to retain power.
Now, in her stupidity, which is astronomical, she didn’t realise that the slimy party that is the greens, just like oakturd and that other slimy independent, would not change their vote, so she didn’t have to bring it in.
Abject stupidity, something that you lot don’t care about, she is a woman, she can empower herself how she wants by rooting as many married men as she wants, she can lie and lie, it’s okay.
And the main reason she hates Abbott so much. He is in a wonderful relationship, with a real, attractive women (and don’t fuglies hate the good lookers?), and she was rebuffed by Abbott. He wanted nothing to do with that fat bargearsed, ugly woman, and not because she is a fat, bargearsed, ugly woman, but because he has principles and does not root outside of marriage.
And how she hated that. As do the bull dykes, for what can they say about Abbott now. Well, apart from parrotting and caterwauling gillard’s vindictive, banshee like wailing, that Abbott is a misogynistic nutjob.
Now Lucy, if you wish to reply to my comments, please do, but do it via my email, as I do not hit the get e-mail notifications box. Let’s see if you can defend my scurrilous allegations, with reasoned debate, and not the typical bull dyke type ad hominem attacks.
Again, grow up you shell-less mussel types (and I am not having a go at women who can think for themselves and not just toe the party (see bull dyke) line, your misandry is disgusting.
But of course misandry is okay because it empowers women, while its counterpart just makes us men sexist pigs.
Hypocrites much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-
anne louise October 12, 2012
Oh dear Pete, you’re in a bad way. Hope you feel better soon.
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Carole October 11, 2012
Maybe you should have a nice cup of tea and a lye down Pete.
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caroline October 12, 2012
Well said Peter, I agree with everything you said, I cannot wait for the day to come when that lying,. false dyke is no longer leading our country. What a bloody embarrassment she is.
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caroline October 12, 2012
Well said Peter, I agree with everything you said, I cannot wait for the day to come when that lying,. false dyke is no longer leading our country. What a bloody embarrassment she is.
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Amanda October 12, 2012
I hope Hoopla are taking action to identify Pete Fumberger and reporting his ‘rant’ to the authorities.
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Margot October 12, 2012
Calm down Peter, you little pet, and make me a sandwich
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Jules October 12, 2012
Pete, your mother must be so proud.
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Zelda October 13, 2012
I would now like to choose my outfit for the funeral of larrikinism after the week’s parliamentary speeches. It’s been terminal for a while now and the last rites were a pleasure to watch. No doubt there will be a few survivors, but they are going to look a bit silly now that people realise how sick they really are.
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Georgia November 20, 2012
I am so excited and moved to be part of the herstory that Prime Minister Gillard is making. Every woman that has come to prominence in politics in my lifetime (Carmen Lawrence, Cheryl Kernot, Joan Kirner, Natasha Stott-Despoja, Jenny Macklin etc. etc.) have been relentlessly pursued by misogynist politicians, media and members of the public untl they disappeared from politics. The same thing happened to Christine Nixon. We have let this happen to women. Julia Gillard is not letting this happen. She is coping with the hurtful personal attacks with grace and fortitude but not passively. We are part of a new society, led by this woman of courage. Women and men will be freer because of this social revolution she is leading. I just hope she eventually understands that I would love to be able to marry my lesbian partner, but we are wife and wife anyway, we don’t need the sanction of the law, our Love is our lore. Go Julia x x x x
