Sexism in Australian politics

Shelga

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22852742

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has described a menu distributed at an opposition party fundraiser that made crude and derogatory comments about her body as "grossly sexist".

The menu was presented at a dinner for former minister and Liberal National Party election candidate Mal Brough.

It offered up "Julia Gillard Kentucky Fried Quail - Small Breasts, Huge Thighs and a Big Red Box".

Opposition leader Tony Abbott condemned the incident, calling the menu "tacky".

All I can say is :eek::mad: The opposition leader needs to admit some sort of liability for this, just as the HSE Executive has to accept some sort of culpability when gross negligence occurs at a public hospital. In my opinion this is horrible workplace bullying and Tony Abbott and his cronies should be punished severely.

I can only imagine how mortified I would be if I were Julia Gillard

It seems sexism in the political arena is quite prevalent in Australia, I wonder why this is the case? That story really pissed me off though, regardless of the reasons behind it.

Rothmans

It seems more like she is just personally insulted by it. And she should feel that way as it is personally insulting to be sure, but I'm not so sure it sexist. In bad taste; certainly. An attack on Julia Gillard it most definitely is. But an attack on women as a whole? I personally don't think so.

meeeeh

I find it funny but that's just me. Btw I'd laugh if something similar would be done for a man. It's probably not appropriate though.

kylith

They were going to make Tony Abbot Chicken, but they couldn't find a cock small enough. Ba-dum-tisch!

B0jangles

It comes across as sexist because it's ridiculing her physical appearance (in a very coarse way). Women in the public eye almost invariably get criticized more for their appearance than for their actions. See Hilary Clinton and her pantsuits, the 1000+ Mary Harney is a whale "jokes" you get in AH, etc. etc.

It's not something that is commented upon nearly as much for men in the public eye.

If it had been rude about her policies or her behaviour as a politician that'd be a totally different kettle of fish.

Legs.Eleven

More than sexist, I think it's just very unprofessional. Who'd want a party like that running your country? Australia comes off really rough around the edges sometimes.

LittleBook

- I think if the [single but living with a partner] prime minister wants to make, politically speaking, an honest woman of herself, she needs to seek a mandate for a carbon tax and should do that at the next election.

- What the housewives of Australia need to understand as they do the ironing is that if they get it done commercially it's going to go up in price, and their own power bills when they switch the iron on are going to go up.

- To a pregnant 14-year-old struggling to grasp what's happening, a senior student with a whole life mapped out or a mother already failing to cope under difficult circumstances, abortion is the easy way out. It's hardly surprising that people should choose the most convenient exit from awkward situations.

- If it's true … that men have more power generally speaking than women, is that a bad thing? But what if men by philosophy or temperament are more adapted to exercise authority or to issue command?

- Voluntary paid maternity leave: yes; compulsory paid maternity leave: over this Government's dead body, frankly. It just won't happen.

All the above courtesy of the Leader of the Opposition.

- I mean anyone who chooses to remain deliberately barren ... they’ve got no idea what life’s about. [Senator claiming Julia Gillard was unfit for leadership because she was "deliberately barren"]

- I think if the government was a bit more experienced in [having children] area they wouldn't come out with glib lines like that. [the (male) Trade Minister and the Treasurer involved in the subject of that debate have children]

Now, I have no interest in Australian politics, I'm on the other side of the world, but a quick google managed to throw up these beauties. I'd find it hard to take seriously anyone who asserted that sexism in Australian politics is not a problem.

And regarding the behaviour in the OP ... no woman, in any other line of business, would have to put up with that. Imagine a competitor in any field coming out with bullshít like that. It's embarrassing and shameful.

panda100

:eek: to all the quotes in the above post

The Sweeper

If you're not convinced sexism is a problem in Australian politics, peruse this and see how it influences your views...

http://annesummers.com.au/speeches/her-rights-at-work-r-rated/

(This Anne Summers has nowt to do with lingerie btw...)