Australia’s foreign minister Julie Bishop today addressed the National Press Club in Canberra at an event held by the Women in Media. Some of Australia’s most successful female journalists were in attendance alongside a number of senior female politicians.
These are a few of the issues journalists including Michelle Grattan, Katherine Murphy, Virginia Haussegger, Karen Middleton, Judith Ireland and Sarah Whyte, asked Julie Bishop.
On so few women in Cabinet
“The PM Tony Abbott inherited a shadow Cabinet when he came into leadership in 2009 and he wanted to maintain stability. He promised to take in the team that had been working in opposition. I am absolutely confident that at the right time the PM will promote the talented women in our party in to the Cabinet.”
On improving the numbers in Cabinet
“We have to focus on promoting talented women from the grass roots level. I believe there are things we can put in place. But we mustn’t promote women on anything less than merit and there are a significant number of women in our party who I think will be.”
On any difference in policy terms to have so few women in Cabinet?
“I don’t think there is such a divide between women’s issues. Cabinet has an opinion on a whole range of issues. Of course men have opinions on women’s issues. We do need to be more representative of the Australian population; we need greater diversity in in Parliament to reflect the diversity of our community.”
On why it’s predominately men who are lured to fight as terrorists
“The history of the ages. It’s invariably men who have waged wars, it’s invariably been men who have been the combat fighters. Perhaps it’s the “warrier” stereotype . I’m not really sure. You tell me.”
On feminism
“It’s not a term that I find particularly useful these days. I recognise the role it’s played and the barriers and challenges overcome by the women’s movement. I don’t reject the term but it’s not a word I’d use to describe myself.”
On the glass ceiling
“For me I refuse to acknowledge it. I’m not saying it doesn’t exist. But the approach I’ve taken is that if I want something I’ll work hard and set my mind to it and it comes off that’s great. If it doesn’t I’m not going to blame the fact I’m a woman. I’m not going to look at life through the prism of gender.”
On Indonesia’s Cabinet brimming with women
“The fact is of the 34 members, 18 of them were appointed, not elected and that makes a difference. Indonesia is an incredibly diverse nation and is working hard to increase female representation and and they have achieved a great outcome. I congratulate them on it.”
On the seemingly disconnected relationship between feminism and conservative politicians
“With respect I think you’re over analysing it. [Feminism] is just not a term I use. It’s because I have a pathological dislike for the term, I just don’t use it. It’s not part of my lexicon. It just isn’t. And I don’t think anyone should take offence to that and read into it. I’m a female politician – get over it.”
On whether Julia Gillard faced sexism
“I was as delighted as the next woman when Australia had its first female PM and I said so at the time. There was an extraordinary outpouring of goodwill towards Julia Gillard because of it. But then, and quite rightly, she was judged by her competence and that’s where she was found wanting. She then turned herself into a victim. That was her choice. As far as I’m concerned she was judged by the public and the media by her competence, honesty and performance as PM. “
On working with disadvantaged women around the world and how that is reconciled with her view about not seeing life through a gender prism
“I’m making a personal observation about me. People say to me, ‘ok you’re now in a leadership role in the Abbott government, what has been your experience’? I can only talk about my experience. This is the way I see my life.
“I will not be dragged into a debate about the glass ceiling. It would be churlish and unnecessary for someone in my position to do that and I will never cast myself as a victim when it comes to my position and performance as a minister. I understand the situation for others is different – we [women in the public eye] are role models and that’s why we commit ourselves to improving the lives of women. But you’re not going to get me saying my career has been stymied by the glass ceiling.”
On improving the lives of women
“Like many women in Australia I have had a privileged upbringing. Here in Australia we don’t fear violence or hunger in the way people elsewhere do. We don’t fear the depths of poverty that others suffer. I can use our aid budget – $5billion – around the world to help women.”