What is it about Julia Gillard? As Australia’s first female Prime Minister she was both loved and loathed. Once the nation’s most taunted political figure, she also captured more hearts and shaped...
Category: Feature
LGBTI military personnel and the march of history
“Although homosexual behaviour is not a frequent occurrence in the [defence] services, it is not acceptable”. The year was 1976. The statement approved by Sir James Killen, the then-Minister for...
Behind closed doors: Masculinity and accountability
Living in a university residential college the past three years, discussions regarding gender and masculinity were cemented in the college dialogue. Admittedly, without a strong community culture...
Do fourth wave feminists ‘get’ their second wave foremothers?
Do young Australian women have any idea how fiercely their mother’s and grandmother’s generations fought to open the doors and opportunities they now take for granted? Opportunities as simple as...
The ACT, women and the body politic
Following an historic 2020 election, the ACT’s legislative assembly now comprises 60% women. Not only do women make up the majority of elected representatives, at least half of each party’s MLAs are...
Hypocrisy, power and chauvinism in the Canberra bubble
Male and female MPs are put under very different levels of scrutiny when it comes to their private lives. Not only have male politicians been happy to use their female colleagues private lives for...
Is it time for universal paid domestic violence leave?
Women experiencing domestic violence are often told to “just leave”. But “just leaving” is never simple; it is fraught with danger, complex logistics, and psychological trauma. More often than not...
Women in politics: Pursuing progressive policies
Since 1972, the Women’s Electoral Lobby has made the case that women should be at the political decision-making table. Nearly five decades later, a record number of women have been elected into the...
Beijing +25 and the future of women’s rights
When the Beijing World Conference on Women took place in 1995, I was just starting my career as an employment lawyer in Australia and I recall Hilary Clinton’s reminder in her famous speech that...