WE DON’T NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
EXCLUSIVE: TIM MATHIESON STANDS BY HIS WOMAN!
In conversation with The Hoopla this week, Tim Mathieson, the First Bloke, broke his silence over renewed leadership speculation.
“Julia is working hard to make things better,” he insisted, running his fingers through his tawny-flecked short locks. “We just want to serve the Australian people.”
Hairdresser Mathieson, PM Gillard’s partner, told The Hoopla during a private BBQ, that what drove his partner to stay on in the leadership was a dedication to “public service”.
Mr Mathieson brandished his tongs with passion as he declared that he never discussed policy with his partner, but that he understood what motivated the woman he calls Julia (because that is, actually, her name) to attain the office of Australian Prime Minister was that “things need to be better”.
“More tomato sauce?” he asked, his concern belied by the flippant slogan on his eye-catching aqua BBQ apron which he admits was given to him by Bob Katter: “Kill a Cow. Start the Fire. The Magic Begins.”
He averted his eyes when The Hoopla asked what was his primary motivation to retain the honorific of “First Bloke”? As such, the first in the nation’s history.
Would he want to continue in the role he has made his own, through all the slings and arrows? Is that why he stands by his woman?
“I don’t know,” he said. “But if I ever agreed to do that, it would be on the proviso that it was completely about the country, the national good, Australia’s place in the world and the people who have, over many years now, told me, ‘Look, we’re vulnerable on this or we’re hurting on that, and things need to be better’. Who’s for another sausage?”
This is an account you will never read. Why?
Therese Rein “in eye-catching purple” at lunch with Deborah Snow for The Sydney Morning Herald. Photograph by Paul Harris.
Because men are not expected, nor seen, to back their partners the way women are.
On the weekend, Kevin Rudd’s wife Therese Rein gave an exclusive interview to Fairfax newspapers.
Greens leader Christine Milne excoriated her for “standing by her man”.
Ms Rein responded by tweeting, “Is she saying that as an individual and as a woman I’m not speaking my own mind? Or that what I say has Kevin’s consent. She obviously doesn’t know me very well.”
It got me thinking: why do male leaders need women to fight their battles, but not the other way around?
To call Therese Rein a smart woman is like saying James Magnussen is a pretty good swimmer. Her international employment agency Ingeus is worth $210 million. When Kevin Rudd was Prime Minister, they were pitched as a power couple.
During the leadership challenge, their daughter Jessica mounted an effective a social media campaign. “Let’s own this spill, people,” she blogged.
I like these women very much. It’s a close and loving family. There’s nothing wrong with supporting each other.
But to say that’s not what you’re doing is disingenuous.
Therese Rein is her own woman. But she knew what questions to expect when she agreed to a lunchtime interview with a senior newspaper journalist.
Sure, she pretended to be reticent when questions were raised about her husband’s leadership ambitions. But her answers were well rehearsed.
In the words of Christine Milne, “This is Team Rudd letting everybody know that Kevin is ready to be begged to take it on”.
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32 Responses to this article
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Sue k July 10, 2012
I love The First Bloke.
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Alison July 10, 2012
Good article.
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Rosie July 10, 2012
My reaction to Therese Rein’s interview was that it was a direct set-up by the Rudd camp to ease us back into thinking of him as PM. Do they really think we can be manipulated so easily? We have moved on. I agree with Sue K – The First Bloke seems like a decent chap who has handled his position with dignity.
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Paula July 10, 2012
Whatever happened to free speech? The women in 1-KRudd’s life have every right to campaign on his behalf. While this a relatively new phenomenon in Australia, the wives and daughters of politicians regularly participate in the campaign. We all have brains, we can all see what the Rudd camp is doing. Just because we don’t like it, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be allowed to exercise their democratic right.
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Tracey July 10, 2012
Of course she can do what she wants – and we can read and write articles saying she’s being disingenuous.
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angela Fooks July 10, 2012
I totally agree we do not ned to talk, or think ,about Kevin !!!!! – and we don’t need Therese to tell us we should . I f only they could begin to think about what is important and support the current government instead of undermining
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Em July 10, 2012
The j Rudd piece for mamamia was irritatingly disingenuous & patronizing. Infruriating was mamamia’s equally obtuse defense. Sent me off the whole site.
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Mez July 10, 2012
Absolutely agree. And I wouldn’t call Jessica’s campaign a success. It was an unmitigated disaster.
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Bridget July 10, 2012
If a male partner or child of a female politician came out and spoke about the woman behind the politician, she would be seen as weak and wily. Sadly, we still have a long way to go until gender is relegated irrelevant in the political arena and misogyny, not tolerated.
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Tracey July 10, 2012
Great comments! Rosie – I was talking to a Labor operative last night who confirmed all of our suspicions – absolutely a Rudd set-up to ease us back into talking about Kevin. Enough!
And Bridget – excellent point. Imagine if Tim did come out to protect Julia. It would be seen as patronising – and she would be seen as unable to stand up for herself.
It is all viewed through the prism of gender.
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Helen July 10, 2012
Tracey, “a Labor operative” is like saying “a source close to …” – a common tactic by journalists and/or magazine writers – to attempt to give legitimacy to his/her propositions. Writers should own their words.
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heather green July 10, 2012
I prefer to think that Ms Rein as an educated, successful businesswoman has something to say.
Consider this… some highly successful/high profile business leaders/ politicians/journalists even, have partners who are their equal and actually have an opinion…… They are free to express it…. and most of us are interested to read it and decide how we feel about it… Most of us are smart enough to evaluate the situation and to identify the bias and prejudice in the articles we read…..with respect, including yours… -
Happyeverafterbride July 10, 2012
Great article Tracey! but I disagree that Ms Rein is belittled for standing by her man. I admire her even more for the fact that she is strong enough to support her husband despite the fact that her success is not reliant upon his career.
Another thought, perhaps its detrimental for female leaders to have their partners speak up on their behalf? It undermines them. I too appreciate the strength of all these successful women in their own regard.
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mj July 10, 2012
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Tim Mathieson hasn’t been schooled by the PM’s PR people to behave the way he does. He has. Every move in the game is carefully calculated by advisers, no matter whose name is in the headlines, but especially those associated with the PM. All this sort of fluff just distracts us from the real issues. For instance, I keep wondering when someone with political clout is going to stand up and declare that the changes to Social Security law wrought by the Howard government and still causing untold suffering to students, single parents and unemployed people, are punitive and need immediate amending. Many voted for Labor for that very reason and yet no-one – not Kevin nor Julia – have had the courage nor the principles to address it. They think throwing a little bit of money around from time to time will do the trick, but it’s just a temporary vote-buying exercise. This is just one example of many. Instead of debating which partners said what, lets make our political leaders properly face what is really “hurting” people. And Tim Mathieson, put your money where your mouth is or keep it shut, but don’t pretend to care about what’s really “hurting” people.
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MichelleP July 10, 2012
You do realise the start of the article wasnt real mj? Tracy didnt really chat to Tim…
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liza July 10, 2012
What we are seeing today in politics is a blame anyone but me for my problems.
The Alp are pathetic stating that it was the “Greens” made us do anything .The Greens made us chop off Rudd’s head. The Greens made us lose our way. We never shared their values but were prepared to prostitute ourselves for government.
If the ALP are that unhappy with the Greens then let them call an election .
No good bringing in Therese Rein to test the waters for this lot.That is just cowardly. -
mj July 10, 2012
Thanks MichelleP. Tim Mathieson has been quoted as saying that all his years as a hairdresser have refined his listening skills, which helps when he’s out talking to people in his role as first bloke. And although we may not have seen him at home cooking on the barby, we’ve been privy to his men only shed. My point still stands. We need to debate the real issues with our leaders and not what their partners say or not say.
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Annie Also July 10, 2012
Typical of a successful woman damning another successful woman by ‘feint praise’.
Not a nice piece at all.
Some of us out here are still upset by the knifing of a sitting PM.
Some of us out here are tired of the movement to the right that the ‘progressive’ Party has made.So when some of the commentators here speak of ‘us’ and ‘we’ YOU do NOT speak for me.
I am a woman and can speak for myself. And if in that I speak of my man and speak up for him and out for him, that does NOT make him weak. It makes US stronger.Sad that you had to make it a man/woman first man/first woman thing. So American.
Like anyone, Tracey, (you for instance) who are in the public eye, even WOMEN have a right and an equality to be asked for interview and their point of view. That is all that was.
I will talk about anyone I like including Kevin and nasty little Pyne and cruel Abbott or disappointing Gillard. -
Tracey July 10, 2012
Hi Annie,
Actually, like I said, I like Therese and Jessica very much. I just don’t like how disingenuous the whole thing is. If they are pushing for another leadership challenge by Kevin – then say it – don’t play games.
I would love to see energy being put into policy, instead of trying to tear down the existing leader – who happens to be a woman, by the way.
Cheers.
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kerry Lynne July 10, 2012
Great comments on here. I must say Tracey I thought your article showed your political bias, however, its great that it has provoked some interesting discourse and women are starting to talk and put forward their views without fear of attack… My own bias will be evident when I say i agree with many points raised by Annie, Liza, Happyeverafterbr, Heather and MJ. Personally I cast my vote based on policy, not gender. I find it curious that people rubbish KRudd when he belongs to the same party as the sitting PM..I am pleased that we are a free country and that we have good capable potential leaders in the wings in both major parties.Fortunately most are men, because I dont want to hear about their blue dress or lovely smile, I just want them to get on and govern according to the policies that the majority voted for. !!!…. Oops… the last vote wasnt a majority was it …. I’ll have to rethink that …
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Tracey July 10, 2012
Thanks Kerry – love your comment about the blue dress. I always cringe when I read profile pieces about female leaders – or spouses – which focus on what they wear. It’s never an issue when the story is about a man.
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paul clarke July 10, 2012
great article, tracey…..Julia may not be able to get her message across always, but it’s nice to know the first bloke has her covered at the barbie! you would need more than listening skills to survive that job. nice to read about him, and sounds like he would be more fun than janette howard to get on the piss with. good luck Tim – we’ll be with you in the election, buddy!
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Bev July 10, 2012
Good article and points well made, Tracey. I found it demeaning for the very talented Ms Rein to be spruiking for her husband. Tim Mathieson has conducted is life as First Bloke impeccably and seems to be very supportive of his partner without looking for headlines.
I’m proud that the women have the courage to stand on their own two feet.
The Rudd push for leadership seems to pop out every fortnight just before the newspoll. It’s a shame that Ms Rein allowed herself to be used. -
kerry Lynne July 10, 2012
Errmm….Wendy Harmer, your comment requires a little qualification itself.. I did not make the points you addressed your reply to.. My last comment could have quite easily been qualified by the reader having a sense of humour……… :O We all played our part in arriving at a hung parliament. … We may hold slightly different views but surely we both agree they can be delivered with a little good manners and humour …
I said the last vote wasnt a majority… I did NOT say there was a majority vote cast with one party over the other… why do you raise that ? we all are aware that it was a hung parliament..
I did NOT charge that our government is illegitimate…. Who said that ?… Why do you raise that ?
Ive never even heard anyone mention a conspiracy till you just did .
Standard operating procedure should be for us all to exchange views with good manners … you delivered a philippic under the guise of a reply… -
Mez July 10, 2012
Matheson seems like a good egg. Team Rudd are delusional at best or arrogant, manipulative power-whores at worst. The polls that ask who’s your preferred PM, Gillard or Rudd are to blame for keeping Kev’s hopes alive. The answer from 70% of the population is NEITHER!
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Jane Cattermole July 10, 2012
There’s a long history of leadership challenges in the Labor Party but this is the only time it’s been called “a knifing” or “stab in the back”. To put it in perspective when Gillard’s challenged the first time Rudd, having realising that he had no support in the party room, chose not to contest. He agreed to step down as leader. She then won an election, albeit with the support of Greens & Independents and has had to battle for two years against a hostile media, fuelled by leaking and outright condemnation by Rudd and Co. when he finally formally challenged her for the leadership she won by an overwhelming margin, bigger than any margin in the history of leadership ballots. That should have been the end. The Rudds should have taken a step back and given her the space to lead the government instead of constantly undermining her position. There is no doubt that the latest interview was an attempt to attract leadership speculation once again and it’s no surprise that it coincided with the polls. They need to to take a leaf out of Bob Hawkes book and take it on the chin for the good of the party.
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Sunny Shamrock July 11, 2012
The problem with all your examples of female leaders not needing the support of their partners is that they all lost in a landslide. I am not saying it was their fault but they are hardly examples to throw at us.
Live in a bubble if you want but part of the reason people like Kevin is his close family image. The public like it & can relate to it. Does that make it fair? No but it’s reality.
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Margaret July 11, 2012
Thanks for the note about the Therese Rudd piece. I have had enough of all of the Rudds. Kevin, Therese and the daughter whose name I cannot remember. We admire and respect Therese as the successful business woman she is but enough is enough about the Kevin thing. Get over it.
Maybe if she had sorted him out when he was in the job it may have had a better outcome. I have just remembered that there are sons in the family so good on them for being invisible.
