I am still trying to work out how I feel about living in a country with a female PM, a country where factional bullies can over-rule democracy and choose the PM, a country that was on track to electing a chauvinistic man who doesn't believe in climate change... it's a bit to take in.
The gender issue. I have a sense of relief that Australia is a nation where a woman can be PM and I have a bounce to my step as I think of that in an international context and as a message to my son, to my own career and to young girls. But then as usual, talk back radio filled my brain with dread and fear, today the airwaves crackled and whined with women espousing how it wasn't really a win for feminism because Julia didn't have children... f*** me how can you even reason with women like that. I don't want Julia to be treated any differently because she is a woman (already suggested as a given by some commentators today) and I don't want to hear for the next month about how we have a female PM. What we have is the person most likely to beat Tony Abbott in a looming election, who was put in the job by a bunch of right wing men. I do not question that she is a terrific politician, an intelligent person and as she reminded us about 15 times in as many minutes, "hard working" but I do not have the sense of elation I think I should.
I really hope that Julia is not beholden to the right and doesn't come out with Abbott like policies and comments. Already today's answer on the asylum seeker question was like a step back to Howard, and actually for me brought back different and frightening red haired memories. Julia said 'she could understand why Australians were fearful at boat arrivals'. This was a real opportunity for her to show leadership, show that Australia may earn some international respect and she could have dispelled a tonne of myths. I know that voters are fearful and that they think the 2,500 people in detention will take their jobs, kill their babies, kick their cats and ban full strength beer but really... Julia knows better and should have said so. If she felt she had to she could have still given a line about security and border protection - not that the issues are even related in actual fact.
I have respect for every MP, even if I don't agree with their policies, politics is a shit business to be in. Yes, some must enter for ego but most I would say enter to make a difference and stand up for what they believe in and they work really damn hard. Julia must have a seriously good multi vitamin and make up person on hand because I don't think she would have slept last night and she was looking fine and making complete sense today, not sure I would have!
Bring on the sound bites of Abbott saying "Gillard would make a great PM", let's see Tony squirm and sort of kind of just not get it right because he has no concept of how to handle an intelligent and powerful woman. Let's see the lib's remind us of the un-built but paid for school halls, the combusting roof rafters and tell us it's just a new coat. I hope all those who looked like voting Green are not swayed by the 'first female' angle. More than ever we need their checking and balancing.
Bring on election weekend!!
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