Strident, powerful woman helps put Barry on the map again…

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Nessa from Gavin and Stacey

Who does that headline make you think of? Well there’s a certain enormously successful TV programme featuring an often black PVC-clad outspoken, feminist female who is a hero for many – I speak of Nessa of course, from Gavin and Stacey played by the glorious and currently ubiquitous Ruth Jones….

But adore her though I do,  she’s not the subject of my headline – I’m actually referring to the new Prime Minister of Australia.

Yes indeed, the extraordinary and unexpected turn of events across the other side of the World this week has resulted in one of Barry’s daughter’s, Julia Gillard being installed as Australia’s first ever female Prime Minister. The fact that she originally hails from Wales is just one of many extraordinary twists in the story that would make an admirably entertaining plot in Home & Away.

But before we all get too excited about one of the world’s (self acknowledged) most sexist and male dominated country’s being headed up by a female, we should realise that her ascension to power is not as an elected candidate of the people, but as a result of the ruling Labor party’s decision to oust its incumbent leader, Kevin Rudd, following a disastrous result from the electoral polls leading up to the next election. The events of last week, as well as the response to Gillard’s appointment (who had previously been Deputy PM), make fascinating reading.

The initial articles I read relating to the turn of events that saw Rudd deposed paint a picture of Gillard as a “red-headed political cobra” involved in a “brutal

Julia Gillard, Australia's first female Prime Minister

coup” to replace Rudd. Her appointment was met with horror and consternation in some quarters, not just because she is a woman, but also because she is un-married, undomesticated, feminist, agnostic and child-free. It’s not a situation she is unused to – indeed one minister was forced to apologise three years ago when she was appointed Deputy PM, for suggesting publicly that she was unfit for the post because she had remained “deliberately barren”. In fact, the surprise at Gillard’s appointment probably hit her as hard as anyone – after all, it was her that said in 2005, ”women lead with emotional intelligence.” Pause. ”What nonsense. Let’s get a grip here. This is Australia: women don’t lead.”

Indeed the positioning of Gillard of some sort of viper seems to be well wide of the mark. The “brutal coup” it seems, was engineered by the party’s right wing faction, after becoming desperately concerned that the party wouldn’t be returned to power following a series of disastrous decisions. Rudd had, by all accounts, become somewhat over-egotistical about his position on the world stage and was focusing on international issues rather than dealing with s series of domestic crises. Indeed, one of Australia’s most powerful men, Rupert Murdoch had accused Rudd of “delusions of grandeur” in pursuing a strategy that would position Australia as a world leading economy. After a Nielsen poll showed the opposition party leading, the Labor right conducted its own research into the populations perception of Rudd, asking them specifically which words sprang to mind in relation to Rudd. The answer was “arrogant” and “weak”. In contrast, when they asked which words described Gillard, the response was “strong” and “capable”. Those two words were, it seems, enough to persuade them that they should approach Gillard about becoming PM. And so it was, in a day of dramatic activity, that Rudd read the writing on the wall and resigned his post, leaving Gillard free to take up the post as his replacement.

There are two fascinating aspects of this story for me; obviously that there is a female PM in a country where the men famously haven’t given a XXXX about women’s emancipation, but also that Gillard is a £10 pom whose family emigrated to Australia from Wales when she was just 4. The latter resonates because I have family who also left for a new life on the £10 scheme that the Australian Government launched in the late 60’s to encourage us Brits to make a new life on the other side of the World. After a few tough initial years, they too have flourished and live a happy, relaxed life enjoying trappings that we typically dream of here; beautiful spacious homes with pools, loads of free time, a fabulous climate – and a healthy attitude to work life balance within a country that positively encourages people form all walks of life to work hard and enjoy the rewards that brings.

And that’s where the sexism argument becomes most interesting – because although the typically occa crocodile wrestling, beer swilling Aussie male might be of the view that “Sheilas” are meant for the kitchen, there is an over-riding culture of respect for hard work and success. I have a sneaky feeling that there will be huge support for Gillard, not because she is a woman, but because she has worked hard and grafted within a tough environment on equal terms with the blokes – and made it to the top. To use the vernacular ‘good on ‘er, she’ll be right mate’.

There has been some expectation that Gillard will now champion women’s rights in particular, but it seems to me that she takes a wholly pragmatic approach to dealing with issues full stop. Yes there are problems that need to be dealt with in changing attitudes, addressing issues of domestic violence and assault, promoting more suitable working environments for women – but she does so whilst simultaneously acknowledging that equality comes not from damning a male dominated culture, but working within it and making changes that promote equality and positive development on all fronts. To quote her views from the Australian press:

“This is an adversarial place, the Parliament – for good reason because we’re having a contest of ideas and values and it should be passionate and it should be feisty and occasionally it should be loud.

“And for women to be equal, they’ve got to be able to take an equal place in that adversarial culture.

“So I’ve always imagined myself in that equal place and that adversarial culture, not looking for a different way of doing it.”

And further:

“Historically, there’s a blokiness about Labor culture but there’s an honesty about it, too. If you can hold your own, you win respect,” she said.

“I sometimes think maybe the Liberal Party culture is a more polite culture but, in some ways, politeness can be an artificial politeness of, you know, make sure you don’t talk roughly in front of the ladies.

“That kind of politeness can be excluding. So I prefer our more knock ‘em down kind of culture. There’s an honesty to it.”

I already like her – and I think her attitude will win her even more respect. She’s also acknowledged immediately that she has not been elected by the country and promised to call an election before the end of the year so that people can make their choice. So she’s standing up and making a statement that she’s confident enough that the progress she will make over the coming few months will be enough to convince the country that Labor should be returned to power under her leadership. That’s a feisty red-head for you (I consider I’m allowed to make that comment being a red-head myself hehe).

I’m going to come back to this story later in the year – after I’ve had a chance to catch up with my Aussie rellies and get some grass root reactions to their fellow £10 pom. And in the meantime, I shall watch Gillard’s progress with fascination

But before I sign off on this piece, there’s one final twist to this story that I absolutely love for its irony. Whilst Gillard is unmarried, she is in fact in a long term relationship with a businessman. Or as the Australian press have put it, she is “shacked up with a hairdresser” !! For Gillard’s partner Tim Mathieson, the tables are most ironically turned. He is, it seems, a salon owner and Real estate agent too – but in a magnificent irony, he has been positioned as a “hairdresser” and much is now being made of the fact he will be leaving some of his previous life behind to do “charitable” work in his new position as First Man. He is already to become a Men’s Health Ambassador and is patron of the fabulously named Australian Men’s Sheds Association. Yes indeed, he has his work cut out in ensuring equality is maintained for the soon to be oppressed beer and bbq bloke.

I can’t wait to see what happens in a few months when Julia Gillard stands or falls on her own merits – then we’ll really see what’s occurrin’.

Elaine

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About Elaine Sturgess
Elaine Sturgess helps people get their perfect kitchen, from custom made splashbacks to custom kitchen storage, she has a the kitchen apps you desire. My Kitchen Store
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