Julia Gillard in conversation with Anne Summers: "You have a decision to make: you could have a crap rest of your life", [or you can move on].

Last night I saw Julia Gillard - Australia's first female Prime Minister - in conversation with Anne Summers at the Melbourne Town Hall. She and Anne spoke for 50 minutes and the audience asked a variety of questions for the remainder. It was her second extended interview since losing the Prime Ministership.

People queued early - reports from Twitter said the queue was snaking from outside the Town Hall in Swanston Street and around the corner to Exhibition Street. The audience was excited. The woman next to me told me Julia Gillard was her "heroine" and that she wouldn't queue to see a band or for a restaurant, but she'd queue for Ms Gillard.

Julia Gillard is smart, warm, engaging, open and very funny. Gosh she was funny. And she is caring - her heart is set on improving the lives of our nation - especially of women. She firmly believes she has paved the way for women in leadership - particularly parliament: "now I've smashed my head through the glass ceiling, it should be easier for women to enter parliament", she said. I really do love her.

However, with all of her discussion of equality for women, Indigenous Australians and people with disabilities, I am still surprised at her stance on marriage equality - she believes marriage equality in Australia should be decided by a conscience vote. "I feel like I got on this tram at a different spot. My views on this were formed at a different time", she said. Shouldn't her passion for equality extend to marriage equality?

Here is a summary of what I took from the discussion. The summary below and opinions above are my own and do not reflect those of my employer, and quotes are Julia Gillard's.

On empowering women

Julia Gillard is so articulate and passionate about equal opportunity and empowerment for women and girls, and wants to make a real difference to females in her post political career. She recently went to New York to work with Hilary Clinton at a global leaders meeting.

Her (former) government embedded funding for empowering women in neighbouring developing countries. She hopes this funding will survive the current government.

"Development statistics tell us if we can empower women and girls, we can make a difference to the nation", Ms Gillard said.

On work

Julia Gillard said she stands by moving single mothers from a single mother pension to NewStart when their children get older because NewStart gives them the best chance at work, but she believes the rate of NewStart is too low.

"I am a big believer in the dignity that work gives us. Income support is not enough to eradicate poverty", Ms Gillard said. "I want to see everyone have the benefits, choices, access and dignity that comes with paid work".

On being ousted as the Prime Minister by Kevin Rudd

Anne Summers said of the 28 Australian Prime Ministers, Julia Gillard sits at no 14 in length of service. She's served longer than Kevin Rudd and Gough Whitlam.

Anne Summers observed Julia Gillard's lack of self pity and bitterness after being ousted as PM in June 2013. Ms Gillard replied: "You have a decision to make: you could have a crap rest of your life", [or you can move on].

She said that many former Prime Ministers, including Paul Keating, called her afterward, to talk her through. With great humour she quipped: "You know you're having an intense conversation with Paul Keating when he grips your arm and calls you love."

On the misogyny speech

Ms Gillard said she was "astonished" at public reaction to her misogyny speech. She saw eyes glazing over in Parliament, and thought that she'd just be able to return to doing correspondence. Former Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan suggested that maybe she wouldn't be doing correspondence, rather she'd be doing follow up interviews regarding the speech. She implied that Tony Abbott, then Opposition Leader, was wishing the speech would he over: "Poor Tony Abbott stared at his watch like he hadn't seen it before"

She received feedback from women from different strata around the world of how powerful her misogyny speech was. Ms Gillard said the misogyny speech was "for every woman who has bit her tongue and thought 'I shouldn't say it'. It's one for her."

An 11 year old girl in the audience asked "did you have any fun when you were Prime Minister?" Ms Gillard replied that she is pleased her term as PM taught 11 year old the pronunciation of 'misogyny'. She also added that she felt privileged for meeting every day Aussies and have them offer suggestions for the country. She loved her staff and opportunities as Prime Minister.

On comments about her appearance and dress sense

An audience member asked how Julia Gillard felt when Germaine Greer made a comment about her bottom. "Everybody had to take a role as a fashion critic" Ms Gillard said. She went on to say what a role model Germain Greer was when growing up. "I was disappointed for Germaine Greer. It let her down as much as it let me down". "Boy I'm through the pain barrier", she said. "It [criticism about her appearance] didn't really worry me."

On not wanting to marry

An audience member asked a question about whether Ms Gillard had ever considered marrying her partner Tim to stop the publicity. She said she and Tim are very happy and don't need marriage to confirm that. "I couldn't afford the publicity around a PM wedding", laughing about the pressure there would be for her not to trip over her dress.

On asylum seekers

Audience Question: "how can we change debate re asylum seekers from despair and anger to one about compassion and hope?" Ms Gillard replied saying she worries about tenor and language of asylum seeker debate. She believes asylum seeker policy is "incredibly complex."

On media

Ms Gillard believes journalists don't get the time to think properly about what they're reporting on. "Quick media cycle means there is not enough deep discourse into politics", she said.

Julia Gillard also commented on the protests that took place against her role as leader. She said of the 'ditch the witch' slogan - "I was offended by signs, but more so the benign reaction to it by the media."

The sisterhood in politics

Julia Gillard was asked whether females from other parties reached out to her when she was attacked? "I would like to say yes", she replied. She proceeded to talk of the bonds she formed with other females from all parties while working on policies prior to her role as Prime Minister. "During the time when I was PM, I didn't have people from the other side to offer support." However, she credits Tony Windsor and Rob Oakshott for constant support and protection. They stood up for the nation, she said.

On the current government

"It's disheartening to have only one woman in Cabinet", she said. However she is optimistic about the media and public reaction to this sole appointment. She said discussion about women's rights need to continue. This will make a difference, noting that "we should be complaining that the statistic of one woman in Cabinet is hopeless." Ms Gillard believes there should always be equal representation of women and women's issues in government, no matter the personalities in charge.

Julia Gillard have some advice to Tony Abbott, Prime Minister and Women's Minister: reach out to Tania Plibersek (from Labor) and do a lot of listening. "I hope Tony Abbott's time as Women's Minister is the most character building period of his career", she said, to which the audience erupted in laughs and applauded.

On the future

Julia Gillard hopes "in 2050, Australia is a fully reconciled country, a more sustainable nation, prosperous economy". "I hope "we share life's risks - the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the next step in that journey. We need to have each others backs when we're in need", she said. Ms Gillard also hopes that in 2050 Australia won't have an education disparity.

She also hoped there will be equally as many female Prime Ministers as male ones, and that during a game of Trivial Pursuit, players would get the answer wrong to 'Who was Australia's first female PM?' because there'd be too many to remember.

"Genuine equality would mean that you and I would not have to speak about genuine equality"', Ms Gillard said."Policies should include all our people, not assumed the policies that work for dominant cultures work for everyone."

 

At the end of the conversation, four young girls presented her with bouquets of flowers. Ms Gillard received her second standing ovation of the night. And Katy Perry's Roar played - the only time I've ever felt a Katy Perry song had any significance to anything. Julia Gillard was so articulate - I left feeling empowered. Julia Gillard is resilient, and I can't wait to see what she does next.

We are so very lucky to have access to hearing our leaders speak candidly and publicly - I feel very privileged to listen to a woman I admire so much. Thank you for your time Julia Gillard.

-

Thanks to Jess for the photos and the lift home.

Listen to Julia Gillard and Anne Summers in conversation at the Sydney Opera House here.

This conversation was to raise money for the Anne Summers Report - you can subscribe here. This was the second of many Conversations with Anne Summers to come.

See Eden Riley's blog for a great insight into Julia Gillard as a person.

A sausage for the nation

It's election day in Australia today.

The Age predicts it's going to be close.

I think we live in a lucky country, and I appreciate being given the freedom to vote, because there are so many countries who don't allow women or minority groups, or anyone at all, to vote.

But I have found it hard to differentiate between party policies when most of the media and advertising from both Labor and Liberal has been slagging off the opposition. I did like this profile on Julia Gillard by Mia Freedman last week.

It may be unAustralian of me not to know much about politics. I am proud to have a female PM. But other than that, I'm disinterested and uninformed.

The other day work friends and I had a coffee, and they were discussing the election. I honestly had nothing intelligent to contribute to the conversation, and I emphasised this by saying 'if all I'm worried about is the lack of picture on my hot chocolate froth, I clearly have no intellect regarding the election'. A friend of mine wrote on her Facebook that she is very excited to be able to vote for the first time today - this was a nice thing to see, I thought, despite my ignorance to it all.

It is very Australian of me, however, to be excited about sausage sizzles on election day.

I have a lot on today, so I chose to vote in the city on Thursday. My main concern about casting an early vote was whether I could still have a sausage today.

I put it to Twitter. @snagvotes said 'Yes. It's your democratic right! ;)'. @daisystreet said: Oh, absolutely! In fact, I think you should get *two sausages simply for being so organised. ;)

So today, after breakfast with the lovely Jentopia, belly dance and a spot of shopping, I went to my local primary school to get a sausage. I bypassed the queue to get my sausage. 'I've already voted, I'm just here for a sausage', I told the voters. 

Sausages were categorised by party leaders. Mr Abbott (or Mr Rabbit, as Gillard says) sausages were plain. It would have been great if they were rabbit sausages.

 

Julia Gillard, our first female and red haired PM was represented by Red Hot Rangas.

 When I was a kid, Mum would tell me she could never tell me who she voted for. It was a highly confidential and personal thing. My sausage choice didn't represent my vote. Can you guess?

Power dressing, soup, cutlets and pudding

I did a lot this weekend, but still got some rest in. My cold is almost over, apart from a chesty wheeze that is painful and annoying.

Yesterday I saw the God-awful Eclipse movie - I was so bored and couldn't stop thinking about how wooden the characters are. That Bella Swan is the most vapid character I've ever seen - who knows why she has two boys chasing her and I can't even get one. I grit my teeth and told myself that I was watching this film for charity (I actually was). I was refreshed to see Jacob shirtless several times. There is actually a website dedicated to Taylor Lautner shirtless! Who knew!

Today I rested up and did a few domestic things - cooking, a bit of tidying and picked up my layby.

I am involved in running a large event tomorrow and my organisation's big boss is in town tomorrow for another event, so I will power dress for the occasion. I am channeling Julia Gillard's ambition and my own corporate style.

This top was a bargain $30 at the fashion emporium I call Target. It is a deep blue, a bit Cue-esque. I love Target's trickery of being able to stock clothes that look like I've purchased something from Cue but at a fraction of the cost.

My friend and I once went shopping for an outfit for her. I was proud to choose this top for her - it was the only one on the rack. I desperately wanted one of my own, and for weeks I reminded her of the ultimate sacrifice I made by allowing her to have the top. Then, one day there were a heap of these tops on the rack, and at a reduced price, so I put it on layby pronto.

I didn't think something for $30 was an appropriate amount to layby, I could have just bought the top outright. So when I saw this skirt, I put it on layby too.

And to tie it altogether, my trusty blue Temt trench with the Untamed Menagerie elephant brooch.

The big boss should be impressed should he see me tomorrow. I will try to get an outfit shot (of myself) and post it here.

I cooked a three course dinner. Potato, leek and cauliflower soup.

Lamb cutlets and vegetables.

I believe we need to grow bigger lambs because these cutlets are miniscule.

I know, the vegies are McCain specials. Still, I seasoned them with lime juice.

I also made bread and butter pudding, because I read Sydney Shop Girl's blog. And so should you. Read her blog and make pudding. SSG actually made bread and butter muffins.

I had almost a whole loaf that was going a bit stale. So I greased a tart dish, cut and buttered the loaf and lined the dish.

I used some delicious real fruit conserve. It is wild blueberry.

I made a custard of beaten eggs, full cream milk, sugar, lemon rind and vanilla essence. I covered the bread with the custard mixture and baked it in the oven for about 20 minutes.

This is what my bread and butter pudding looked like when it came out of the oven.

I had one piece for dessert. I might have another. I deserve it.

I served it with a dash of thickened cream.

It was delicious. Not too sweet, and the top was crispy.

I am watching John Butler on SBS and flicking to Masterchef. I can't decide!

John Butler is a bit cute, don't you think?


That's me finished blogging for the night. Happy Monday all!

One step aside from a man, one giant leap for women

I am incredibly proud to be Australian today.

Australia has a female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, after Kevin Rudd stood aside.

What a day for Australia and Australian women. We are a lucky country, with freedom incomparable to many parts of the world. But Julia Gillard's appointment as Prime Minister is great progression, for us and the rest of the world. It shows us as women, we can aspire to anything.

Though I do not profess to have knowledge in, or feign interest in politics, the events of today moved me greatly. I don't entirely understand what happened to cause Kevin Rudd's ouststing. I acknowledge that not all Australians agree with the way Julia Gillard was appointed Prime Minister - many call it execution, betrayal or divorce. It was interesting and exciting to watch the TV coverage and read the tweets of the rapidly unfolding events, even for a non politically savvy person like me.

It was particularly interesting to see what a role twitter played in the coverage. Journalists were tweeting observations and photos from the press gallery which them made it to media, and on one TV station, Mia Freedman was appointed 'Reporter of the Tweets', and tweeting herself. I saw a tweet from Yumi Stynes saying 'All the news coverage about the leadership spill is about tweets. Get over it! And get news the old fashioned way, schelppers!'

Another thing I found amusing, and slightly patronising, was that so much opinion about Julia Gillard is about her dress sense, hairstyle and colour (she had fabulous hair today!) and marital status. Call it a point of interest for women, and perhaps a 'human' part of her for them to grab onto, but would women be getting so interested in these aspects of her life if she was male?

I was on my way to the doctor, thinking I'd miss outgoing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's speech. But I tuned into ABC radio and sat in the car listening to his emotional speech. I had tears in my eyes.

Considering he'd just been ousted by his own party, he spoke with such dignity, and from the heart. You can also view his speech at The Age.

He spoke of the achievements of the Labor Party in the time he was Prime Minister. When it came to talking about cancer treatment, organ donation and the stolen generation, he broke down. It was moving. The support from his family, particularly his wife Therese Rein, was strong

As Clem Bastow and many others tweeted, 'I am proud of the fact that Kevin Rudd is a human being'.

Despite the perceived failings of the Labor Party under Kevin Rudd's leadership, I believe he's shown great leadership in his exit speech. It was heartfelt, honest, huourous and apologetic at times. It would be pretty awful to be the leader of a country and turned on by your supposed allies in your party. I can't imagine how he couldn't take criticism personally in his role as Prime Minister.

The values that Kevin and Julia espoused today make me proud.

There were a few words in Julia Gillard's gorgeous strine-laden acceptance address that resonated with me. I believe these words are true resolve of great leadership and values:

'Can I say to the Australian people there will be some days I delight you; there may be some days I disappoint you.

On every day, I will be working my absolute hardest for you'.