It's 2015 & this is how leadership in Australia looks - Women's Agenda

It’s 2015 & this is how leadership in Australia looks

Australia’s political leaders have gathered in Sydney today for a leadership retreat. The Prime Minister Tony Abbott has invited state and territory leaders to discuss tax reform among other things. 

You know how a picture tells a thousand words? That will save me a thousand words today. Because the photos that emerged from the gathering say an awful lot about political leadership in Australia in 2015. One woman. Nine men. 

It quite neatly mirrors the representation of women in Cabinet. Two out of 19. Keeping in mind that women do actually comprise roughly 51% of the population, does one women per nine or ten men seem right?   

Is there anything to add? Other than the fact that the representation of women in politics in Australia in 2015 needs to be considered as a matter of urgency? It’s dismal.

I noticed a similar problem when watching the ABC’s 7.30 last week. 

 

 

And it’s not just the pictures that tell a compelling story. Earlier this month it was revealed that Australia is the 6th worst country in the OECD for the representation of women in politics

Last year I attended a bi-partisan event looking at tackling this problem. As the days tick by I am growing more certain that if change is going to happen it’s only going to be achieved by women making it so.  

Who is free for a leadership retreat? Any takers?  

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