A Woman Prime Minister for Australia?

[jenkinsdakota]

Never in Australia's history has there been a female Prime Minister. Do you think this is evidence of sexism among voters or sexism among political parties? Many women too seem to be very traditional, such as those pitiable "surrender wives."

[LilShenanigans]

I think we're slowly getting there. We do have a lot more women in parliament which is a good start, and their slowly coming to the forefront.

It really is a shame we are one of the last countries to be open to this fact... like come on, even new zealand have female PMs! lol Oh and England.. but we won't go there :rolleyes:

We're lagging like the US. The sooner they have a change in government, the sooner we might see some big changes. Unfortunately, yes following the US again.

There is a chance though, with the US having Obama and Hilary looking to be president in the near future, there could very well be a huge change with either having a female or African American president... both totally new concepts.

I think it will take a couple more years yet for Australia, not saying we are slow, but we are quite an elderly country at the moment population wise. And quite multicultural. Some of the older generations wouldn't attach well to a female PM and in some cultures it would be incredibly disrespectful to a man to be 'bossed' around by a woman.

[Pippi Longstocking]

There is still very much a sexist attitude when it comes to women and politics. Considering women make up 52% of the population, we as a gender are grossly under-represented. And when women do attempt to break thought the patriarchy, they are accused of being "barren" (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/05/02/1177788183427.html), and that politics is "no job for a woman" (http://blogs.news.com.au/news/splat/index.php/news/comments/nationals_candidate_im_not_sexist_but_this_is_no_j ob_for_a_woman) etc etc.
:rolleyes:

[MariaO]

who can forget the 'empty fruit bowl' jibes at poor Julia Gillard.

Are there many more men than women joining the political parties at student age? Any party members here know?

[Phyllis Stein]

Maria, I heard a while ago that more women are joining political parties than men, and I can vouch for women being overrepresented in the political sciences at my uni.

There was a debate about this on Difference of Opinion a few months back - a few points I recall -
1. Parliamentary 'conflict' politics is all agro, macho posturing - women would prefer a more cooperative, productive approach.
2. The embedded 'boys club' in Canberra mean women don't receive promotions as much as men.
3. By far the most important - family responsibilities - the reality of juggling a family with life as a pollie is simply not attractive, especially when partners are not prepared to give up a career for a domestic role.

[missie_mack]

Yes we are harsh on female politicians. Ive seen them judged on their home life, sexual orientation, hair style and dress style. While most men can be absolute slobs and nothing is said. Why can't we judge the women on their intelligence instead of the other?? There are so many highly intelligent women on all sides of politics who have so much to offer being held down by the invisible ceiling....

Even many countries that are considered to hold low levels of respect for women have had female leaders....

[shed]

the last countries to be open to this fact... like come on, even new zealand have female PMs! lol

NZ women got the vote first in the world and have had two female prime ministers so far, one after the other.

They are way ahead of most other countries, so I think the "even new zealand" comment is a bit cheeky, especially when comparing to the australian situation.

[lilpearl]

Of course - the political system is backwards, no doubt about it. We desperately need a femal PM, as the country is in shambles. Now there is the 'What Women Want' party, and i hope everyone reads up on them, and makes a sensible choice when election day rolls round. Every mother deserves independent midwifery care, the choice of free homebirth (for every women, not just those deemed 'LOW risk':rolleyes: ...lets abolish that term thank-you-very-much, goodness! Midwives need their insurance back so that more are willing to work independently. Some say that the WWW party must not cater for those who choose not to have children, or for men - what a load of BS. My main concern is surrounding the childbirth system in this country (we're headed towards Americas statistics....high obstetrical 'care', very poor outcomes, birth is normal!). Fix the problems surrounding womens lack of CHOICE, give women midwifery care and empowering birth experiences, and the country is half fixed. Birth is where it all starts - take care of mothers and they will raise a happy and healthy society, benifiting all, I say.....anyway...just my two cents :thumbsup: New Zealand have a female PM< and their bith system is top-notch - lets take their cue!

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

Lets not forget that when a woman stands her ground in politics she is a real *****! That is unless she's talking **** like Pauline Hanson. Hopefully things will change soon and we will see more and more women in politics, and someday a female PM.
However lets not forget that Australia was one of the first to secure the vote for women and the right for women to be able to stand for office, so there is hope.

[forbetoel]

I love Julia Gillard and would be happy for her one day to be our first female P.M. She has a genuine passion for politics.

[mum23girls]

QLD have a female Premier... :thumbsup:

[Mamaduke]

I would have no problem voting for a female for Prime Minister if they were the right person for the job, but not because they're female.

Victoria had a woman Premier, Joan Kirner and she was absolutely bloody useless, practically ran the State into the ground.
We currently have a female Chief Commissioner of Police and morale is at an all time low.

[forbetoel]

[quote=Mamaduke;2060860]I would have no problem voting for a female for Prime Minister if they were the right person for the job, but not because they're female.

quote]

Yep, I would never vote for them just because they were female.

[lilpearl]

[quote=Mamaduke;2060860]I would have no problem voting for a female for Prime Minister if they were the right person for the job, but not because they're female.

quote]

Yep, I would never vote for them just because they were female.

agreed:yes:

[lotti]

I would have no problem voting for a female for Prime Minister if they were the right person for the job, but not because they're female.

Victoria had a woman Premier, Joan Kirner and she was absolutely bloody useless, practically ran the State into the ground.
We currently have a female Chief Commissioner of Police and morale is at an all time low.

Absolutely mamduke, I could care less if they were bright pink with 5 legs and I actually think that 'most' people feel the same.
I don't feel that I am under represented or a poor mother and wife. I feel that if I wanted to go into politics then that would be an option for me.

[LilShenanigans]

They are way ahead of most other countries, so I think the "even new zealand" comment is a bit cheeky, especially when comparing to the australian situation.

It was a bit tongue in cheek :p It would be more appropriate for Australia to be a bit more neighbourly with their neighbours.. I'm sure that what was the real intention of the bible was hehe

Anyway, I do agree whats with putting women down for how they look? Sure, making fun of Pauline Hanson was joyous and still kind of is... But poor Julia got a few rough ones there.

If we had an opportunity to have a female PM with eyebrows like Johnny, we'd reel in horror at the thought!






*giggles to herself at thought of female PM with Johnny eyebrows....*

[Scout]

I love Julia Gillard and would be happy for her one day to be our first female P.M. She has a genuine passion for politics.

No surprise in you saying that 4b2l! :laughing:

No surprise in me saying that if that is the best we can do, then we as a nation are in trouble. She is most certainly not the first female PM that I would like to see. Oh god, kill me now!

She has barely even been rolled out in the last 3 weeks. It makes me think that she is the Deputy purely as a matter of tokenism. Peter Garrett is getting more of a say than she is.

[catalicious]

If The Labor party had a female leader i would vote for her....


I wouldnt vote for any other woman but thats cause of the particular party she would be in howevr i think if for example labor wins this election, IF the leader wasa woman i have my doubts that they would win....

If you get what Im trying to say!!

[catalicious]

NZ women got the vote first in the world and have had two female prime ministers so far, one after the other.

They are way ahead of most other countries, so I think the "even new zealand" comment is a bit cheeky, especially when comparing to the australian situation.



My Dp is a kiwi as are all his family and they think that the country never got run better than when there where female prime ministers!!

[Scout]

QLD have a female Premier... :thumbsup:

Not one that has been voted in though......

[~Bec~]

I think the whole institution is inherantly patriarchal. For a poli to be successful they usually spend many hours working away from home over many years. Given most women have children this would most likely mean compromising the mother's relationship with her children for her to be successful. Very few woman would be able to strike a satisfying work/life balance under those circumstances and if they did, would probably be criticised. If she didn't have children she's also criticised.

[jenkinsdakota]

Lets not forget that when a woman stands her ground in politics she is a real *****! That is unless she's talking **** like Pauline Hanson.
I think a tertiary education would be the minimum requirement for a woman before I vote for her. That rules out Pauline Hanson. Fish-and-chip skills are non-transferable to politics.

[Lil Mamma]

Id love to see a woman as PM of this country!! (So long as they arent a nutbag like Pauline!)

Id also love to see an indigenous person as PM:yes: