IS THE PM A HYPOCRITE?
Is Prime Minister Julia Gillard a hypocrite?
A brutal day in politics yesterday culminated with the resignation of Speaker Peter Slipper, whose position had become untenable after the revelation of sexist and degrading texts he had sent.
PM Julia Gillard in parliament yesterday. Photo by Andrew Meares via brisbanetimes.com.au.
Julia Gillard had uncategorically denounced the texts as offensive, but then referred the matter as being before the court and supported the Speaker in his position. After the vote shored up Slipper’s job by a margin of one, he promptly resigned.
In a passionate and lengthy speech, Gillard had previously gone on the attack against Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott for his track record of sexist comments and behaviour. It was a fascinating performance.
But today Gillard is being called out as a hypocrite: using sexism as a battering ram against Tony Abbott, yet obfuscating about it to protect the position of the Speaker thereby ensuring her political power in the House.
Are double standards at play here? Theses are very murky waters indeed.
Over to you.
Front page photo by Kym Smith via News Limited.
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93 Responses to this article
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Margi Macdonald October 10, 2012
…and today both sides of the House still need – and are no doubt courting – Slipper’s vote[s].
What’s changed?
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Jacqui Wyatte October 10, 2012
She was magnificent. There was no hypocrisy in that speech.
Julia was given the chance to display what she really stands for… the breaking down of male domination of our political system, boardrooms and bedrooms. Abbott deserved what he got: ridicule all around the world. And she did it while defending the basic tenent of our law that a person who is charged with a crime is not guilty until fairly judged so by a court of law.-
Ro October 10, 2012
I concur – excellently put!
She is one effective tireless worker.
We should abhor these common brutalities particularly in the parliament & in the eyes of the world.
Agro adversarial politics is cheap & banal! -
Fiona October 11, 2012
I agree with you and congratulate Julia for actually having the courage to stand up and speak the truth
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lynda October 13, 2012
You are joking!!! how could anyone defend that slimy grub!!!when it suits her she is “offended” it is her way of running this country and the sooner she goes the better
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lynda October 13, 2012
I dont agree….when it suits her she is “offended”
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bronibus October 10, 2012
For heavens sake, give our PM a break. She presides over a hung parliament with a determinably aggressive opposition, if she could get an extra vote by using a slightly odd Mr Slipper, why not? At that stage none of this Slipper sleeze had been revealed. Lets face it none of those who sit in parliament are 100% pure.
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Rosie October 10, 2012
bronibus – yes, I agree with your sentiments – well said.
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Trisha October 10, 2012
No she is not.
With her background in law I am sure she believes in the tenent of not guilty until proved otherwise – in the courts not in the press.
Where is Mal Brough in this, why are we not seeing more of his part in this sordid tale?
Ashby and his other colleagues why are they not being plastered over the press for their part in politicising this whole mess.-
Rosie October 10, 2012
Trisha – and Mal Brough was endorsed two months ago as a Federal Liberal candidate for a safe Sunshine Coast seat. Have they no morals? Of course he was up to his eyeballs in this sleaze. Ashby never sought mediation for sexual harassment in the workforce – after consultation with Pyne and Brough he went straight to the Press – what a set-up.
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lynda October 13, 2012
and good on him!! he went to Mal Brough for advice because he is known by his Grandmother…….How as a woman could you defend Slipper? You “lefties” should all go to michael smith news and read the truth about this woman
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Jen October 10, 2012
15 minutes of compulsory viewing. It was gold.
Such a concise, compelling response to the disgraceful behaviour of the Coalition in and out of parliament in recent weeks. Abbott actually looked contrite at one stage. -
Monica October 10, 2012
I see no tension between the PM denouncing the sexism and misogyny which undoubtedly exists in the Parliament and outside of it – and supporting a motion, had she chosen to do so, to remove from the speakers seat someone who’s misogyny revolted everyone who read his text messages. Perhaps she could have and should have, done both.
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Jane Caro October 10, 2012
Her speech will go down in history long after Slipper’s name has been forgotten. Just look at how the international media are treating it.
The way our media is reporting, by contrast, has made me despair. Are they really so one-eyed, blind, biased and – yes – male?
I think they have badly misjudged this. I spoke about it on Channel 9 Mornings today and the response by angry women watching has been overwhelming. That show’s viewers are not generally radical feminists.-
helenbea October 10, 2012
Thanks for this comment Jane, from someone in the public arena. The mass media in this country has long been a sad reflection of provincial atitudes and values. Anyone who has lived o/s would be aware of this insularity which fails to recognise the bigger world picture. Hopefully, the PM’s speech and response to it from around the world will awaken more Australians and in particular Australian journalists to the bigger perspective.
Unfortunately, there has been a promotion of the dominant voices of ‘the old order’ establishment, at the expense of growth and change. This is beyond party politics. JG’s speech was for all women who have felt disempowered at home, work, in all spheres of life. The PM’s set the benchmark and all those who value equity, women and men are right behind her.
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Gillian October 10, 2012
It looks like the whole game was set up for Slipper to resign same day. Tony Windsor met with Slipper before the vote and said he’d support him in the vote on condition that he resigned.
Gillard took the opportunity to put Abbott under the spotlight, which she did brilliantly – lots of evidence and not so much name calling.
It was a good move. Slipper (ugh!) has gone and Abbott didn’t get away with using his wife to paper over his past words and actions.
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Pip October 10, 2012
And Labor got through the cut to single mothers benefits. A win all round. Her speech was marvellous and a true shift in the way she has been engaging with the Opposition, as well as a sign for all of us that we too can stand up against any anti-women attitude ourselves, but lets not forget the politics in all the emotion.
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jonah stiffhausen October 10, 2012
Groan. She is the worst PM since Federation and should be in jail for criminal behaviour. God save us from the harpies. They’re destroying the joint.
Let the woman learn in silence, for I suffer not a woman to teach, or to usurp authority over the man,
For the man was first formed and the man was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression……..-
June October 10, 2012
Are you for real? You should get out in the real world or move to the middle east where you would fit right in
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Bradley October 15, 2012
Move to the Middle East where you would fit right in ?
Racist ? Much !
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Ella October 10, 2012
JS – I do think youd be much happlier in Iran, Id be happy to take up a collection for a one way ticket for you. You poor sad creature – have you not heard of evolution. Try reading some non fiction for a change.
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lynda October 13, 2012
I agree someone who knows the truth!
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Maj October 10, 2012
Problem is, no politician will ever be able to make a statement of conviction ever without being hypocritical because they ALL have compromised their convictions at some stage to play the political game. Has there been times when she’s turned a blind eye to sexism in and misogyny in her own party? No doubt there has been.
All we can do is look at the balance of the issue, and what she said to Abbott was a long time coming, and he deserved it.
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Monica October 10, 2012
Jane – I agree – it was certainly one of the best speeches I have ever had the privilege of hearing. And it made me feel very proud – and relieved. There is misogyny in the parliament – and i am not sure the Coalition “gets” this. But i have real problems stomaching Slipper’s texts and there was a wonderful opportunity for the PM yesterday to slam misogyny, full stop. Not just the misogyny of some members of the Coalition. But equally I really doubt that the press gallery in Canberra is right when they (some of them anyway) assert JG has been damaged. She is a woman of extraordinary strength and intellectual rigour and she nailed the problem yesterday. She would have entirely covered herself in glory had she agreed to move against the proponent of what i am sure we all agree is one of the worst cases of misogyny we’ve seen in donkeys.
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Fiona Lake October 10, 2012
‘Labor got through the cut to single mothers benefits’. And this is a good thing, and done by a LABOR government? Are these ‘benefits’ for the ‘single mothers’ or really for the benefit of children being raised by women on their own?
I can’t personally relate to any female politicians because they all live lives so very different from my own. And the women involved in passing the above laws would mostly (if not all) have been brought up by women who were full time mothers – i.e. at home, so they had the benefit of being home in peace after school and relaxing during school holidays, rather than being in dog-eat-dog daycare or roaming unsupervised. Many of these female politicians have no children of their own or if they have, they’ve been in daycare from a very young age; & they’re on an income which although not reflecting what a good politician is actually worth, is way above the average wage. So yes I think they’re mostly hypocrites & out of touch with what life is like for the average Aus woman. Also sick of female politicians & celebrities etc in ‘victim’ mode. Do a better job on your own merit & fight to improve the situation for all – women, children – and men. -
Morag October 10, 2012
No she is not a hypocrite. That speech was absolutely brilliant and it will go down in history, I think, as one of the greatest speeches this parliament has seen. I saw it because someone I follow on Twitter in the UK sent it on! Go Julia!
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Julie Wright October 10, 2012
I totally agree.
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Jacqueline Anderson October 10, 2012
Julia was fantastic. Magnificent. Wonderful. And no, she wasn’t being hypocritical. She condemned the texts and as she said, the matter is still before the courts. I cannot understand the reaction from the newspapers here. Like Jane Caro I think they (the men running them) have misjudged it very badly or else I am living on another planet.
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jonah stiffhausen October 10, 2012
“Let the woman learn in silence with all submission,
for I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority from the man,
For Adam was first formed, not Eve,
and Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression,
Not withstanding, she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith, holiness and sobriety.”
Ok, so now you’ve been told, you can all get back to your housework.-
Rowdy October 10, 2012
It’s very obvious this “jonah stiffhausen” is a troll or a very chauvinistic religious nutter, best ignored by all concerned.
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Robin C October 11, 2012
How did this dinosaur Jonah find his way onto the Hoopla site? Julia was completely justified in venting her spleen the way she did. She has been putting up with unprecedented gender based criticism since she became prime minister. Whether you agree with her politics and the way she came to the leadership you have to admire the way she has handled the rubbish that has been thrown at her. Abbott’s use of the ‘died of shame’ line was cruel and stupid and I think increased the ire and passion of her speech .It was the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’. She certainly made him squirm.
While I don’t believe Abbott is a misogynist he has certainly exhibited a tendency to support a more conventional role for women in society. His Christian beliefs also affect his attitude to things such as abortion. Let’s face it has always been a man’s world and we have a long way to go yet girls.
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Marnie October 10, 2012
I thought she addressed the issues with competency, maturity and style. Having today read some of the “vile” messages sent by Mr Slipper I almost laughed. It is the same clowning around most men do with their mates at any male gathering or banter between good mates. Unfortunately this time it is text and the ‘mates’ have fallen out. Yes, it is crude and vulgar, that is the nature of the male psyche. Julia was right to leave it for the courts to decide. It was not directed AT women, as opposed to some of the comments made by Tony and his ilk. Well done PM.
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Buttercup October 10, 2012
Jonah, your posts I will ignore.
Julia was great yesterday. That speech was needed and show was the one that had to speak. And she did it brilliantly. We have to stamp out sexism and misogyny. to Tony Abbots credit I think he listened and I hope reflected.
Julia has not made great decisions all the time but she is one of my heroines. -
Robert October 10, 2012
Is the PM a hypocrite? No, she is a politician, as is Abbott. Gillard needs critical numbers to stay in power and Abbott is desperate to upset those numbers to gain power. My jaundiced view is that that and not women’s rights is what drove yesterday’s theatre.
Gillard’s speech was a brilliant, brutal cut down of Abbott. But will it change voter sentiment, Labor vs Liberal? Will it stop Abbott from becoming our next PM? And what will happen to the discussion on women’s rights under an Abbott led Liberal coalition government?
Perhaps Abbott will quote from the Book of Jonah (above)?
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Sandra October 10, 2012
Yes, Julia was fantastic just as most of the above have said. I’m so glad that she has a real grasp of the law and how it works in this land.
It would seem that those in opposition just don’t get it. She is not a hypocrite but there are a lot on the other side who are and they all sit on the front bench.
As for you Jonah – are you taking the “piss” out of this site or are you for real. What are you on, really!! -
Harriet October 10, 2012
Jonah, I think you will find that not being satisfied with the initial (male) product, the fine gentleman upstairs revised and improved upon the original design, creating the upgraded and enhanced (female) product. Needing no further adjustments to this product, the chap upstairs rested upon his laurels. The end.
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mrs pops October 10, 2012
I agree Jane. the international media, including the conservative and respective Guardian, are reporting this as a powerful performance by the PM that put Abbott firmly in his place with careful quotes from his past which leaves no doubt as to his often sexist jibes. i watched the PM live and was I think like many in the Parliament spellbound but pleased she finally came out and said what Has been said is sexist. and by the way calling any woman who supports what she says as the ‘handbag brigrade’ is demeaning. i am simply a woman.
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moorie October 10, 2012
This whole sorry Slipper thing has been a set up from go to wo! He was obviously set up by the Libs and the person to whom he sent those texts (which were offensive) but the Prime Minister showed just why she is PM and why that weasely little man is the leader of the opposition.
I call on all Media be it, Print, TV, Blogs, Internet sites etc to give this woman a go and stop, yes STOP, denigrading everything she does. John Howard lied, they all lie but none of the media outlets gave him or anyone else the stick they give her. I know it is a lot to ask but can they start to be a bit fair and even handed, Puhlllleease!-
Rosie October 10, 2012
moorie – well said. I don’t agree with everything she does but certainly most. I just don’t know how she has survived her period of time as PM – one hell of a strong woman.
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Susan October 10, 2012
Tony Abbott’s selection of the word shame,not once but three times gave her the in…. Peter Slipper and another consenting adult sent those text messages privately-well before all this blew up. Julia you are my hero! If Tony Abbott said shame three times yesterday deliberately and I believe he did he got what he deserved. Tony says he is not a mysogonist …well I am sorry your little mates George Pell and Alan Jones and Larry Pickering ARE. I feel as though my world will collapse if he becomes Prime Minister. You go Julia….Go Girl….
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Steve October 10, 2012
I was disgusted by Abbott’s attack on the Prime Minister and now the Media want to switch the message to Julia, saying she is a hypocrite.
The Liberals run a very good media campaign, they pour so much effort into it. What will Australia get if that bastard gets the job – well who knows, I suspect not even Abbott.
Of course a campaign of personal attacks sometimes pays off with a jackpot like the time Mark Latham melted down after the attack on his family (could argue he never recovered).
I admire Gillards strength of character in not buckling under the sustained pressure of a pack of rancid arseholes (many just happen to be men).
The Propaganda handbook says “When your narrative is seen as disgusting – just blame the other side and accuse them of the same or similar behaviour”.
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Sue October 10, 2012
The PM wasa great and now has in Hansard all the times that Abbott has openly displayed his offensive attitude towards her. He went from laughing to gloom and was picked up by the PM for watching his watch. I hope our journalists read what those o/s are saying, For they listened to the PM and were shocked at the examples of appalling behaviour of an opposition leader. Wy have our journalists let him get away with it? why do our journalists just say “oh that’s Tony” or as in the “died of shame” comment “oh he has used it before” Why do they excuse him rather than question him?
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Caroline B October 10, 2012
She was fabulous. If she’d pulled the sexism card when there was none, sure, I’d lose respect but how spiteful & venomous have the attacks been on her? Why is she not allowed to fight back?
I’ll never forget Tony’s grinning face next to the Ditch the Witch signs, his half-arsed ‘condemnations’ of his friends Alan Jones & Cory Bernardi after their recent disgraceful comments, his vile repetition of the references to Julia’s father in parliament yesterday – let alone his appalling behaviour in student days…. The man’s a sexist, homophobic bullying pig & deserves to be called on it.
And he’s not alone – usually love Q&A but was mortified by the treatment dished out to Kate Ellis this week by the men on the panel, particularly the always offensive Piers Ackerman & Christopher Pyne, but Lindsay Tanner, I would have thought you’d have known better.
As for the use of the Coaltion’s use of ‘handbag mafia’ as a derogatory term for strong, intelligent ALP women – isn’t that also just a little bit sexist?
Anyway, Big Ups to Feisty Julia (not sound bite Julia) – & Tanya Plibersek, Nicola Roxon & others – plenty of us cheering you on out here!
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Lucy October 10, 2012
I unexpectedly burst into tears when I heard the Prime Minister’s speech. Not 100% sure why, but a mixture of pride and relief and inspiration were all there. No she doesn’t have double standards. Yes she has an incredibly difficult job where she needs to balance an impossible amount of issues and priorities, so there is always bound to be some that appear or even are contradictory. So yes there are things in the context that can be pulled out to diminish the strength and general magnifience of her speech e.g. the fact she didn’t move to sack Mr Slipper and the single-parents payment bill.
But though those elements may complicate matters, there are again broader contextual circumstances to them also. So whether you take the big broad picture, or zoom in just on the speech – what I see is that in amongst a terribly complex and ugly time of Parliament, she called out sexist behaviour for what it is. And that should not be criticised.-
Wendy68 October 10, 2012
Lucy I had the same response – spontaneous tears and even physically shaking. Talk about biding one’s time until your message could most effectively expressed; her use of the word ‘personal’ to make clear just how many transgressions of ethical behaviour had been perpetuated, not just those against the position of PM. In conversation about it over coffee at work today, someone said “but doesn’t it distract from the real issues of, say, Policy?” Well, if we don’t know the standards by which our politicians stand, how can we presume to vote for the ones – and their abilities – who have the ability and backbone to create the policy and legistation that our country needs.
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Susan October 10, 2012
Dear Jonah
You are reading from one book and one book only-and might I say very selectively. The days when all that applied have long gone. Guess what? There are many other books out there. Perhaps you should try reading some. -
Katrina October 10, 2012
Definitely Not, The PM did a great job of dealing with the shameful suggestion.
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Lucy October 10, 2012
And re the negative reporting by Australian media as opposed to positive reception overseas… I sometimes wonder whether our media is picking up the habit we’ve seen in our Parliament, of finding it easier to criticise than be constructive? Kind of less risky to poke holes rather than say you support something that someone else might poke holes in.
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Diana October 10, 2012
The vote was not about hypocrisy, it was about something Bob Katter recognised as not allowing the parliament to become a kangaroo court. And that’s why he abstained from voting – why have the commentariat (and this comment too) not picked up on that? Why is it the PM who is – yet again – being attacked? Tanya Plibersek attempted to make this point on Lateline (Tuesday night) but Emma Alborici didn’t get it either.
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dramaqueen75 October 10, 2012
I know! It was ironical right that the only person who really spoke about due process was Bob Katter! Who would have thunk it?
As for the PM – she was inspirational yesterday. It was a joy to behold!
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Julie Wright October 10, 2012
Politics it seems is a dirty business and I for one cannot understand nor comprehend the lengths both sides will go for political gain. They all roll around in the mud undermining each other which in turn undermines this nation’s confidence, strengths, hopes and dreams. I am ashamed of our Parliament’s behaviour. Abbott’s comments that were aimed at Julia yesterday in parliament were meant to try and destroy her, it was the last straw for me regards him as a person and politician. His sickening comments were made with the one objective. To unhinge her. I cannot stand Abbott anyway, but now he is the scum that sits on the bottom of a rotting fish tank. God forbid he should lead this country. People are sick to death of the underhanded dirtiness of politics and the majority hold no hope for the future. In spite of this, I have to say that Julia has my support as she has demonstrated strength and determination in the face of shocking adversity in the past month. I don’t know of anyone who tolerates another accusing them of killing their father. Abbott can go squirm elsewhere, I don’t want him, nor his wife who is going into damage control. Power to Julia, go get ‘em girl.
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Ms Behavin October 10, 2012
It was a good speech but harder to enjoy because of 1. Defending Slipper looked bad and 2. Passing anti single mum legislation is pretty damn anti feminist in my book. The latter needs a lot more scrutiny – I still can’t believe the ALP has gone down this road. My mum was a single parent and boy did she go through some tough times – what a stalwart . In honor of her I say, single mums are in the main heroic people. Yes there are some slackers, but I don’t think they are the majority. I think there are other ways to help single parents to eventually join the workforce without doing this. Hey Hoopla, what about exploring this issue?
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Melanie October 10, 2012
Quite simply Julia’s finest moment, it was beautiful to watch.
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Janet Georgouras October 10, 2012
Tony Slipper was a member of the Coalition before he was made Speaker and Tony Abbott is a well-known supporter of Alan Jones. It seems that the Coalition does have a problem with misogynism. It just keeps rising to the surface.
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Julie October 10, 2012
Interesting that people overseas seem to understand the implications of what happened yesterday better than most journos in Australia. Check the difference in attitude and reporting between http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/10/10/gillard-fires-up-slipper-fired-the-pundits-verdict/ and http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/10/julia-gillards-misogyny-speech.html?mbid=social_retweet&mobify=0 Then read this! http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4305220.html What has been completely discounted by the so-called ‘pundits’ was the incredibly dangerous precedent Abbott was trying to set. It wasn’t about Slipper, it was about political and legal due process. But it was Gillard finally doing her block that has caught the world’s attention. How she restrained herself for this long is beyond me, but watching her defend herself yesterday was a sight to behold.
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Terri October 10, 2012
Thank you Julie for your informative post. Very true, thanks for the links, too. I missed the speech, but was able to read the international reports, plus watch the now famous 15mins. How can we support our prime minister? I don’t think it’s enough just to write here. Regardless of which party Julia represents, the Abbott/Jones/Pyne/Pickering crew are attacking a woman, our media are white washing the facts, how can we tolerate this from our elected representatives. I think every woman who is offended by this behaviour needs to contact their local member and make their feelings known. This sexism is greater than the Alan Jones disgrace. Change needs to occur for our society to grow. Women make up more than half of this world, it’s about time we made it known that we will not tolerate this shameful behaviour anymore from our elected representatives.
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Carole October 10, 2012
Jane Caro, I’ve always regarded channel 9 as liberal party headquarters, also 3AW and The Herald Sun here in Melbourne.
Loved the PMs speech, fabulous and exactly what Abbott deserved.
Slippers texts were offensive& he has been rightly condemned for them. He has unreservedly apologized and resigned.
This man has destroyed himself but surely it was the decent thing to do to allow him resign.
As for Abbott , his ” died of shame” remarks seemed to be deliberate. He never does anything “off the cuff”, always has the “Minders” setting everything up for him.
In fact @Jane if you read this, I think he goes to sleep with Machiavelli under the pillow.
He’s not happy to just defeat an opponent , he wants to destroy them.
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Amanda October 10, 2012
I have been waiting for the PM to speak up. Good for her. I support her stance to no longer accept sexist language and misogynist behaviour 100%. Go Julia.
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Carole October 10, 2012
We should also wonder at the role of Julie Bishop in all of this.
She sits next to Abbott in the Parliament, so has heard all of the personal insults he throws across the parliament during question time & until recently has not had a problem with his sexist remarks and behavior , now she’s out there defending poor Tony whose being ” blamed for everything. Poor thing!!!!
T
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anne louise October 10, 2012
Julia was magnificent and I’m so glad that she was. Until now, many Australians haven’t seen how strong and level headed and genuine that she is. She’s been criticized for staying out of the lime light in the past, but I think that was a beneficial game plan. She said what she mean’t yesterday, and what she had to say was so important.
On the matter of single mums: I’ve been one of those for a long time. Although I did not appreciate it at first, my returning to work (when my youngest was 4 – too early I think) was the best thing for me and my family.
However, I think it is very important that we look at family issues like this very closely and put policies in place which will undo the harm that the Howard/Ruddock team have foisted upon our society. ie If parents wish to “share the care”, they really do share the care, not just evade child support payments. Now, those were the days of mysoginists!
As far as Abbott is concerned, I can’t believe that he has any other function than manipulation of the swinging voter. If I was Lib party strategist, I’d be gambling on letting Abbott create havoc. Then Malcolm would be dusted off just before the next election.
I don’t get Julie Bishop and Joe Hockey. They are, by association with Abbott, overwhelmingly complicit. Yet they seem never to have to account. -
janet October 10, 2012
The PM was brilliant. Ministers Albanese, Melham and Dreyfuss also addressed the separation of powers and parliamentary process issues that were being trashed by Mr Abbott’s political game. Something the mainstream media chose not to focus on. Thankfully the independents, namely Bob Katter, are less politically shallow and high on ethics and common sense – hence approached the vote with integrity.
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Margot October 10, 2012
After being subjected to the women in Tony Abbott’s life being wheeled out last week to tell us what a warm and fuzzy bloke he really is, I felt like applauding when I heard the PM’s speech. At last, calling Abbott out for what he really is. And not just the PM’s personal objections or the abuse he has subjected her to, but backing it up with evidence drawn from years of his misogynistic statements both in and outside the Parliament. I agree with former comments that the PM’s speech will go down in history long after the whole tawdry Slipper affair has been forgotten. She stood up for the women of this country (and it has resonated around the world) and she eloquently and glaringly showed Abbott’s true colours. Bravo Julia!
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Tracy October 10, 2012
Hoopla, you have got it wrong, just like mainstream media throughout Australia has today. Julia Gillard was powerful and inspiring. I had my children watch the speech – it is a great moment for women in this country and one that will be remembered. Gillard was brilliant and the response from the Opposition has been very poor indeed.
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Carole October 10, 2012
What’s truly shocking is that the rest of the Aust. media have responded true to form by almost total condemnation of the PM.
This is why I no longer buy newspapers,
there all right wing . Maybe there continued bias is one of the reasons for their ongoing demise.Quote from Crikey.com;
by John Shailer……
Australian women have no better friend than
Tony Abbott.Think I’ll go and throw up.
Apparently the opinions of men are the only ones being taken seriously.
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Jenny M October 10, 2012
I agree a great speech by the PM, she is not a hypocrite but the Prime minister IS A POLITICIAN and they are ALL like that! They will say one thing and then say another for political expediency its is not new and history is full of politicians of all hues doing the exact same thing.
Up until Slipper accepted the speakers role he was just a QLD LNP MP then when he ‘went to the other side’ and accepted the role of speaker and by doing so reducing his voting in teh parliment the knives came out and how. Mr Slipper has been a member of the coalition for more than 10 years!!!! Whatever Mr Slipper is/was those closest to him know him only too well.
Isnt it wonderful that Tony Windsor and Rob Oakshott in parliment. -
Janet Georgouras October 10, 2012
I have just watched the speech by Julia Gillard. WOW!! No wonder it went global. An amazing performance and a great representative for women across the globe. Tony Abbott and his front bench just cringed for cover in the face of it.
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Katie October 10, 2012
Thanks to PM Gillard for standing up for the women of this country. Wow what a performance.
Kudos also to: Tanya Plibersek for keeping her cool on Lateline in the face of gratuitous provocation from Alberici; and to Kate Ellis for her calm articulate persistence against the odds on Q&A this week. -
Katie October 10, 2012
Something I find interesting is that nobody in the MSM (at any rate not that I have come across) has provided a link to the Ashby-Slipper transcript. Why not? They keep saying it is “in the public domain” – but way too shocking for general consumption apparently.
It seems to me that having rehabilitated the word “vagina” we still have to reclaim “cunt”. Which is a much better and more respectful word, according to Germaine.
Clearly, coyness, censorship and unprintability are counterproductive – it’s just feeding the dinosaurs.
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Nat October 10, 2012
How about Abbot’s hypocrisy? Condemning Slipper one day as unfit for office. Accepting his vote the very next.
Gillard was breathtakingly good. Abbot is claiming that he forgot about Alan Jones’ words. He is either stupid or lying and foolish for expecting us to believe that. If he truelly forgot, how could he lead the country when he forgets something that has been in the news so prominently.
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DJ October 10, 2012
Julia is being called a hypocrite by the Australian media, the most biased and one-sided media of any democracy in the world. The rest of the planet can see the truth. We have a very strong and very capable PM.
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Kirsten Benhiam October 10, 2012
I had the same reaction as Wendy68 and Lucy. It was fantastic to hear her at her best and I was proud to be one of her supporters after listening to such a powerful speech.
Can we now move on and discuss policies? Personal attacks and slease does not interest me. Let’s get back on track and get some legisation passed that will help Australians.
I have been listening to 702ABC radio today and watching Facebook and people are still personally attacking both the PM and Opposition Leader. They are policy makers and politicians not people you invite to your next Saturday BBQ. Let’s call a truce, learn from this episode and get back to work.
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Margaret October 10, 2012
Julia Gillard is not a hypocrite by any means. She condemned the Speaker’s messages, however wanted to let the law run it’s course. I am sure if any of us were in a similar situation that would be how we would want to be treated. Again the electorite is being blind sided by the Coalition’s noise and hyperactive behaviour. What a bunch of no-hopers they are.
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Ella October 10, 2012
I was so proud of our PM Julia Gillard, what an intelligent and articulate woman. While Tony is just a dumb bully.
The only hypocracy I see is the opposition wanting to sack the speaker of the house and now they want his support – now, thats hypocracy!
Ive also stopped buying newspapers, as I cant stomach the right wing rubbish they keep putting out – it all sounds like the Catholic Weekly.
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Rosikeo October 10, 2012
Julia Gillard was magnificent! So great to read all these terrific messages from women who get it after a day of rubbish from our media callng her a hypocrite. Even the ABC has run the same line. Our national journalists are like sheep. Why don’t any of them think independently and why do they so often fall for the anti Julia Gillard spin. Go the Hoopla you have made my day!
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Tracey October 10, 2012
The Prime Minister’s speech yesterday was truly inspiring. It gave me goosebumps, and i don’t think any Australian politician has ever made me feel that way. I feel proud to have witnessed it.
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Annie Also October 10, 2012
(Single Parent payments NOT single ‘mothers’;; so sad that it got through…I feel for the children who need their one parent to help and support them, not be stressed filling in forms, jumping through hoops and cutting back even more…how are they going to pay for rent?
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Ella October 10, 2012
Yes Annie Also. The polies who have never been in this vournable position of having to be dependent on a Single Parents Pension have chosen the weakest in our society to cut costs on.
Who next the Aged or the Disabeled? Not their own payments or benefits Im sure.
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TrishW October 10, 2012
I was absolutely riveted to the PMs speech… and to her strength, her courage and her succinctness as she cleanly made her points without resorting to nasty, personal attack. She stepped into her own power and I’m truly proud of her. No hypocracy there.
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mary October 10, 2012
Young Labour have their sleaze as well
It works both ways
The Australian tosser in politics and corporate Australia was exposed to the world with that speech
They have no where to hide now!!
Hail feminism 2012
Thanks to our pm
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mary October 10, 2012
Kate Ellis’ treatment on q and a was pathetic
The world is watching peeps
Dont forget that!!
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Lee October 10, 2012
Totally justified. It was spectacular and time Abbott got what he deserved. It was pleasurable to watch the arrogant smile drain from his face. This was Julia the PM in full flight and quite frankly I’d like to see more of it. Stop being so polite. Strength to strenght Julia.
The insulting and demeaning language used about and toward our Prime Minister is appalling and has to stop. can you imagine this happening in the US if Hillary C became President? Grow up Australia. -
Jenny October 10, 2012
I too was flabbergasted by the sheer rudeness displayed by Christopher Pyne and Lindsay Tanner on Q&A this week. Tony Jones could have intervened much more quickly I feel. As for Julia Gillard, she spoke like a woman whose bucket was finally running over. She has had to put up with a lot of rubbish from the Opposition, ever since she came into that job, and yesterday’s over-the-top comments were just too much. Good for her, and I hope she maintains the rage.
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Elisabeth October 11, 2012
Thanks Julia from me ,my daughters and my grandaughters who all know the press in Australia reflect the insular mentality of most of the general population.How could they be otherwise ,after all “blokes rule” in this land or did till we got a FEMALE prime minister.Yes ,Gals,keep up the rage and KEEP YOUR OWN NAME,all those who were thinking of pleasing their man.It is a first step to change!
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Mez October 12, 2012
Is Julia Gillard a hypocrite? Yes, among other things.
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Valerie October 16, 2012
Yes she is.
