Here’s my latest article:
Many are troubled by the appointment of Abbott to the role given his less than impressive feminist credentials. I acknowledge he is unlikely to be someone to make landmark progress. But in these tough times, arm the area with whatever leverage it can get. Women’s issues need visibility in the cabinet room, so give it to the man with a woman problem. Tie its outcomes to his and keep the pressure on. You will want your friends close and your enemies closer.
I don’t mind Abbot and I too, maybe for different reasons think this is a good thing. Being in this area means that he is at the coal face and will be exposed to the issues. So if he is presented with an issue that needs actioning then hopefully he will do it. You can petition him directly now. I think he missed a real opportunity to make a statement on his positron on women in cabinet. I also unfortunately think he had a rod for his own back and to reshuffle his existing shadow cabinet to accommodate women went against his stability manifesto. Still Sophie and Bronwyns roles could have gone to women if they were qualified to do it.
Thanks for the comforting thought. It will certainly keep women’s issues in the spotlight.
I haven’t known what to think about this because I used to work in the Australian Government Office for Women and we were absolutely forever pissed off that the agency had been moved to Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs… and I can’t stand Abbott but now he has done what OfW always wanted?! Maybe they will get some decent funding now even?! I’ll be watching the Budget and estimates very closely over the next year… Anyway I was totally afraid to put this opinion forward, I sort of couldn’t believe it. So er thanks for articulating my thoughts as usual bluemilk!!
Wow, very interesting Hendo.. I didn’t realise that was where you were situated. Yes, we are the pragmatic optimists.. controversial view.