Australia's first female PM

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Australia's first female PM

09 Jul

Australia's first female PM

09, Jul, 2010 (11:06 AM)

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It’s a significant historical step for Australians accepting their first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. But has she been accepted? And is the fact that she is a woman going to affect voters?

In Monday’s Essential Report, Julia Gillard had a strong lead over Tony Abbott as preferred prime minister 53% to 26%. However men were not as convinced of Ms Gillard’s leadership qualities with 48% to 31% giving her the thumbs up. Women on the other hand are right behind Ms Gillard with 57% preferring her while only 22% of women preferred Abbott as prime minister.

What difference will it make, if any, having a female prime minister?

Disclaimer - any personal details shared here are public and can be found on internet searches.

Comments (85)

Ian Cook - 6, August, 2010 (9:29)

Julia is great - intelligent, articulate & cares for all Australians. An excellent Prime Minister
Wal Hardy - 26, July, 2010 (22:55)

After nearly 3 years as deputy PM and Education and Industrial Relations Minister she claims that her greatest achievement is the establishment of the My School Website.
I tremble to think what she may achieve as PM!
Wal
Brett Gray - 24, July, 2010 (18:09)

We seem to be getting off the subject a bit. Might be time for a new topic.
Lorikeet - 23, July, 2010 (15:30)

I would like everyone to try to do a bit more research. Then you will know that both Labor and Liberals intend to sell us out to Global Bank Rule by corporatising everything. When public/private partnerships are made, large corporations (generally backed by banks) suck the lifeblood out of the taxation system, charge consumers an excessive amount of money. This results in a win/win situation for banks, and a lose/lose situation for government coffers and taxpayers.

Please read about the following and compare them with what you see happening in the world today:

General Agreement on Tariffs & Trade (GATT), 1947, Ben Chifley (Labor)

Birth of Greenpeace, 1970

Lima Declaration & Plan of Action on Industrial Development & Co-operation, 1975, Gough Whitlam (Labor)

Privatisation of the Commonwealth Bank, 1990, Bob Hawke (Labor)

Agenda 21 (Climate Change), 1992, Paul Keating (Labor)

General Agreement on Trade & Services (GATS), 1995, Paul Keating (Labor)

GATT to be run by World Trade Organisation (WTO), 1995, Paul Keating (Labor)

Privatisation of Telstra, 1997, Howard (Liberals)

Copenhagen Treaty (Lab/Libs/Greens supported)

Proposed Asia/Pacific Economic Union by 2020, Rudd (Labor)
Brett Gray - 21, July, 2010 (18:21)

I don't expect anything more or less from Gillard because she is a woman. I do expect capable, competent and compassionate leadership from my Prime Minister.

Gillard and Abbott both carry the baggage of their part in the decisions, good and bad, of the current and former governments. They both had a hand (to say the least) in the removal of their predecessors. But allowing for that, from what I have seen of them (my perception), they both seem to be people with intelligence and integrity.

Politician's personal lives and beliefs are not relevant to me unless they interfere with the person's capacity to do their jobs. I don't care if the PM is male or female; married, single or de facto; religious or atheist; born in Australia or overseas. One day we might even get a gay PM and there would be no problem there either.
Ralphe M de la Croix - 21, July, 2010 (14:25)

I am afraid I simply cannot agree that the Liberal Party, or rather the Howard Government was soooo "ghastly" to the people of Australia. They created the buffer from which these current people sucked the life out via their ill conceived Stimulus packages!!! The whole darn 'Workchoices' issue had been blown out of all proportions pre 2007 election, predominantly by the Union movement and Labor was happy to run with it. Frankly I am sick to the back teeth that this crap is being brought back this time round. Where does it say in our constitution that Unions have a God given right to demand special treatment to anybody else. They don't like something and its war! Yet they are a minority. Pity that we Oldies via NSA seem to be unable to make an equally bold stand against for us discriminatory or disadvantageous policies.
Barry - 21, July, 2010 (8:58)

Not too happy with the behaviour of the ALP currently, and have significant reservations about Julia Gillard's skills & abilitity to face the tasks of the PM's role.

However a return to the Liberal's is simply not acceptable with their ghastly track record, particularly 'Workchoices'.

Abbott is maximally unsuitable, so I think it's a vote for the least damaging party, not the most appealing. Gender is irrelevant here.
Geoff UNICOMB - 20, July, 2010 (6:57)

This is not a presidential election. We are NOT electing a person, we are electing a political party. Unfortunately for Rudd, he was following the path of a dictator and was a one man band. Gillard continually says "I will....", which indicates that the whole scenario will be no different to Rudd's debacle. Female or not, she is not a one person party.
Bill Kirk - 19, July, 2010 (13:09)

I'm not convinced that the argument of 'let's give her a go' is in any way a reasonable basis on which to support someone becoming Prime Minister of this country, irrespective of whether it's Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott. I'd liked to have the confidence that there was a bit more substance behind such a choice!!!
Carole - 19, July, 2010 (11:50)

It is a very very sad day if we choose a PM just because she is a women! I'm not overly excited about the up and coming election especially with the "Greens" already giving their vote to Labour. People seem to have forgotten than Julia Gillard was Kevin Rudd's right hand "man" and happy to stab him in the back when the going got a bit rough.
Let's all be VERY CLEAR look at their track record to date ... and why rush into another election, if there was not a dark side to this whole mess?? I'm not personally keen on Tony Abbott either but their party at least kept the books in the red!!
Clem J Collier - 16, July, 2010 (16:44)

It`s a sign of the times & not before time !
Give the girl a go !
Irish Eyes - 15, July, 2010 (11:57)

Amid all the euphoria about having our first woman PM, it's fair to say that Julia hasn't been chosen by the Australian electorate - rather, she's been foisted upon us by the unelected Unionists pulling the strings in Canberra as to who will lead the Labor Party. She would do well to go to an Election as soon as decently possible so that the electorate have the opportunity to decide which Party they really want to run this country.
jill - 14, July, 2010 (13:07)

Obviously Julia Gillard has not been accepted by the majority of those who have commented so far. She hasn't had an impressive start that is for sure, not forgetting her part in the processes prior to her taking on the role.
Although I am more likely not to vote for a woman of her type, I do believe there will be a good percentage who vote for her because she is a woman.
Lorikeet - 13, July, 2010 (17:25)

I think most people know the Labor Party had to replace Kevin Rudd and do it quickly to have any chance of winning another election. Some younger women have been sucked into the matriarchal glow, but I think most men and women will never vote for the Slave Labor Party again, especially if they have read the various treaties and declarations they have signed since WWII which sell us out as a nation.
Colin Benbow - 13, July, 2010 (10:58)

I don't think it matters whether the PM is male or female. But what we have is a member of the cabinet who has wasted billions of tax payers dollars. She is also a trade unionist who stabbed the non trade union background Prime Minister in the back as Bob Hawk did to Bill Hayden some years ago. This party is not fit to Govern Australia
Clint - 13, July, 2010 (5:09)

We will have our chance very soon to remove this party that has wasted Billions of "our" money on failed badly thought out schemes.
Just look at the NBS that has no business plan and possibly the biggest waster of all.

They had their chance and blew it big time.
Noel - 12, July, 2010 (19:41)

Their are a lot whinging old farts out there, Religeon has nothing to do with it, Getting rid of Rudd had nothing to do with it (he had to go), dress sense and not having children, nothing to do with it, part of the fantastic four, nothing to do with it, But stuffing up your first decision on assylum seekers the same way Rudd did and rushed into it without proper consultation is inexcusible.
Ralphe M de la Croix - 12, July, 2010 (14:49)

Male or Female PM? I don't care nor should anyone else. The problem we have is a labor government, which is led and run by ex Union and ex public servants, neither of which would know how to run a business, meet a budget or, God forbid, make a profit. Spending other peoples money has always been Labors priority to bribe the ideologically challenged.
JG should be remembered as being part and parcel of the governments policies and stuff-ups. The current debacle about "refugees" is just the latest goobledeeguck policy, and no matter how they spin it - being tough - I heard all that before from Rudd. In fact, as far as the majority would be concerned about, its NEVER been about numbers alone, but about people paying for the boat trip while others, equally if not more so, patiently wait for their turn in some Godforsaken camp somewhere. This isn't fair go.
I wouldn't trust anyone in the current Government to be honest and foremost, remain factual. They will twist and change anything around to suit their electoral chances.
David Goss - 12, July, 2010 (13:52)

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but no one has a right to to be as wrong in their facts as Wiso whose comments indicate a deep prejudice uninformed by any knowledge. This is illustrated by the ludicrous claim that the Fabian Society is far left and was set up by the Communist Party. While Karl Marx wrote the Communist Manifesto in 1848 the first Communist Party was that of the Societ Union founded in 1917. It advocated revolution. The Fabian Society was founded in 1884 to advocate social justice and reform of the system toachieve it tp be introduced by gradual change not by revolution. Thus the approach of the Communist Pary and the Fabian Society are oppisite and the Fabians existed 30 years before the communist party was founded. The Australian Fabian society believes that human problems can be solved by the application of reason. I suggesy wiso introduce a bit of reason into any thought processes before commenting again
Wiso - 12, July, 2010 (11:15)

How on earth could anyone trust Julia Gillard, or anyone in the Labor party after the way they shafted Kevin Rudd. The very spelling of their party gives us a clue. Notice that there is no 'u' (you) in the spelling. That is significant don't you think !! I suggest people forget the gender of the Prime Minister and look at her background for an insight into what she is and what you might be getting if you vote for her. I believe she remains a member of the Fabian Society which was formed by the Communist Party, so with her very left-leanings and affiliation with the left-wing unions, I think enough said. She has to go !! AS someone else said, 'you think Work Choice was bad !!
Margaret Matheson - 12, July, 2010 (10:19)

Gender is irrelevant - and the hope that as a woman she will show "more compassion" is also not relevant; the mere fact of the way that she got into this position shows that very clearly. Julia Gillard is no more able to do the job than was Kevin Rudd. Her performance in her previous portfolios and her recent backdown over the "East Timor solution" indicate her lack of understanding of the important role of international relations and her unwillingness to consult with her Foreign Minister before rushing in show a dangerous arrogance. All we can hope for is a very short stay in the job.
Johanna - 12, July, 2010 (7:38)

She is a "coupe" leader. She was not chosen nor elected...she TOOK...I certainly will NOT support her...for that matter, if it had been a male who did the deal, he would not get my vote.Nor will i ever vote for labour....
Peter van Winden - 11, July, 2010 (20:58)

I believe to give all a fair go but we all forget the ALP start from the union movement and we forget that Liberals had a start from the top end of town. So we get that all polititions make errors the Howard goverment of the past made lots and so will the ALP or should allow an American type to rule we are to blame as we the public put our polititions into thier respect seats not them they were lucky enough for us the public to put them there"oh"we such short memories so beawre when then election is calledwe need to remind those that are standing who they are responsible too.
Kenn - 11, July, 2010 (20:22)

I think a lot of relevant points have been raised above - gender should not matter - BUT the most important point is that it was the unions that ousted Rudd and installed Gillard and if she had not wanted to do it they would have put Swan in - so it will not matter who they have as leader the unions will be running this country if Labour get back in - and you think Work choices would have been bad!!!
Maurie - 11, July, 2010 (16:03)

Julia Gillard is one of the best communicators Labor has had for a while, gives a good spin as long as you do not look too deeply into what is being said. But listening to comments on talkback and seeing what is written in letters to the editor etc, I'm afraid that labor will get votes simply because Julia is a woman, with little acknowledgement to whether or not she has ability. This is sexism in itself. My main worry is that she seems to have no basic standards of what is right or wrong to base her decisions on. The coup and her repsponces to it show this very clearly.
Sandra - 11, July, 2010 (12:49)

Perhaps the focus should shift from the Prime Ministers appearance.
There is little comment about the appearance of her male colleagues even if they can't button up their suit coats and look on the scruffy side.
Jen - 11, July, 2010 (10:20)

I read all the comments about male/female being unimportant and I shudder at the appropriateness of everyone. Gender does make a difference.I have worked under male and females in positions of power and have a concern about women in top jobs. Sorry experience speaks louder than political correctness...and I am a teacher ..we do have long memories Julia..remember the education clash where sticking her head in the sand and refusing to listen to many,many sound arguments was her position until forced into the cprrect decision. Julia is not to be trusted nor her party Can't wait for the next election.
Chris Grant - 11, July, 2010 (4:46)

Gender is not the issue policies should be the issue. Same horse different jockey. I have no respect for her or the party and union bosses she represents and in the way that they dumped Kevin Rudd.The Labor party thinks having a woman prime minister and two female state premiers will attract the female vote? wrong!Two state governments will suffer the same faith Qld and NSW.It took the Liberals 12 years to fix up (bring the economy into surplus)from the debt mess left by Paul Keating and Labor. This time it could take longer. My prediction Liberals will win the October election by one to two seats!My great grandfather was a founding member of the Labor movement and would turn in his grave at the way the Labor party does not represent the workers anymore!
Shaz - 11, July, 2010 (1:39)

I think gender is irrelevant for any premier or prime minister and there is no body else to vote for God help us if Abbott got in and as for his party they lie just like Johnny Howard said no GST and as soon as he was elected what happened we got the GST 10% is everything is still going up, please explain as Pauline Hansen would say. A lot of comments from all the above insults to JG ie about her looks, dress sense etc will reflect on how she runs our beautiful country what a lot of small minded people we have here, shame on you.
margaret Chaldecott - 11, July, 2010 (0:45)

The current leaders of NSW and Australia were not elected to those positions. They are just stop-gaps until the next elections.
Is Miss Gillard now the leader of the Aust. Labour party?
Robert Cohen - 10, July, 2010 (23:25)

Male or Female what's the difference - she is left wing union - how in the hell can we expect her or any of her colleges know how to run the country. She was just as involved with the disasters as Kevin Rudd.
The sooner we can get rid of her and all her party the better.
Colin Campbell - 10, July, 2010 (20:25)

I'm not sure that gender is critical, but I do have admiration for Julia in attaining this critical role as our first female Prime Minister.

She has a remarkable ability to connect with and engage with people, as evidenced in her first press conference. I was impressed also with her ability to manage the press in that environment.

All strength to her!
Garry - 10, July, 2010 (18:59)

We have a Prime Minister, Australia's most significant political leader, who has not been elected to the position by the public democratic process. It does not matter whether the Prime Minister is a man or a woman. It should be about the best person for the job. Of concern however, is Julia Gillard's statement she does not believe in God when the Australian Constitution specifically says the states agree to be bound by a constitution "under the blessing of Almighty God". We now have a national leader who by her own admission, does not come under the Australian constitution of the federation of our nation. I am also concerned at the image we will present to the rest of the world when formal matters of state are represented by our Prime Minister and her 'boyfriend' not a partner in marriage which MS Gillard says her government supports as a legally binding contract between a man and a woman.
Pete - 10, July, 2010 (17:16)

A woman as PM is of no concern, the way she got there is. Unfortunately Labor is contolled bt the factions, not by common sense. I can remember Albernise (pardon spelling, don't want spell his name) saying Kim Beasley would remain the leader, next day Krudd was in power and Albernise was in the new team. Can't trust any of them. I don't want to sound sexist, but when women have finnally hit the top job, they tend to be very black or white, no grey. i.e. Capt Bligh who could not be trusted if your life depended on her.
Helen - 10, July, 2010 (17:06)

Gender is of no concern to me except that I would expect many women will vote Labor in support of a female PM. Women have as much right as a men to lead. Jesus elevated women to their rightful & intended place of equality and has been misread and misinterpreted by Christians for generations.
We need people of good character to lead the country. My assessment of Ms Gillard's character is that of a master manipulator for her own ends and pet socialist policies. Back room boys who think they have power, rubbish...she has them all eating out of her hand....Kevin had, no time for charm, or any cunning, sadly his downfall. Julia knows how to get people to do things...but she also knows when to strike in an ever so nice way saying all the time how honest she is. Some women will not be fooled!
Glen - 10, July, 2010 (16:09)

The gender should be irrelevant in considering a PM.Remarks on hairstyle, dress sense and appearance are sexist at best! I vote for who is able to lead the country while being mindful of the needs ( not wants ) of all Australians while being aware of what is best overall for the country. Not a job I would want to do. However it doesn't inspire me to see how cut-throat the the business of politics appears to be.
G Barbe - 10, July, 2010 (15:42)

Picture Julia Gillard compassionately welcoming political refugees stepping out of a leaky boat one day, knocking back donations from mining corporations and property developers the next, fighting for the homeless and inviting the Greens to the discussion table about climate change... Can't do it, can you? This woman should not be governing this beautiful country. I will only vote for a party that stands for social justice and a clean environment, no matter who leads it.
Philip Crouch - 10, July, 2010 (14:52)

Well done Julia on the basis of moving Australia forward in the 21st century. Personally, I always vote Green, however democratically, its fantastic not to have a leader who is a Christian again...and one able to have her own beliefs. To many politicians hide behind this ancient religious mythological barrier - this is not relevant in 2010.
Well done Julia.
-Philip, Global Citizen
robert chester-master - 10, July, 2010 (13:26)

I cannot help but pose the question, Does Julia
really listen to us?
I doubt if she can, as her ears (does she have any?) are always covered by her hair.
Her voice is so drab and monotone.
Never trust a woman who has stabbed in the back
Tony Smith - 10, July, 2010 (12:32)

My inextinguishible principle is self reliance, self management, honest work, prudent savings, commitment to community, loyalty to nation. Socialism and welfare hand-outs are abhorrent. The gang of four, now two, cannot satisfy my need. Let's be rid of smothering by so called "Labor" and start to breathe fresh air again....
Jim Cone - 10, July, 2010 (10:31)

I have no concern with a woman PM per se, so long as she is an effective communicator and delegator, which Kevin Rudd definitely was not.
However, as an 'ex-patriate' Kiwi living in Melbourne (visiting NZ twice annually) you could hear the audible sigh of relief when Helen Clark 'moved on.' She did nothing for NZ or the profile of women in politics.
Take note, Julia.
Paul - 10, July, 2010 (10:18)

It does not matter who is Prime Minister. What matters is what have they done for us. Until people start to vote on politicians past performances and not on politicians promises at election time we might be better off. Just look at the price increases for electricity, water, car rego, CTP greenslips and all the other tax increases courtesy of Labor.Now they want a ETS tax. The Liberals are also in favour of them because of their silence on these issues and then they all give themselves a pay rise. Also what have they done for self-funded retirees. Labor can spend hundreds of millions of dollars on illegal boat people, send billions of dollars to other countries in aid yet we do not get any concessions on our utility bills or anything. Then we have money thrown at families that chose to have babies and do not forget the single people that see this as a good money earner.
Wiert Mensinga - 10, July, 2010 (9:37)

Gender is not the issue, capability is.
Bess - 10, July, 2010 (9:35)

A politician is a politician! It does not matter which gender they are. I would not like to do their job. As for religious beliefs, I confess I agree with Julia. All the wars that are happening in the world at the moment are based on religious beliefs. At least most atheiests are a peaceful lot.
Leonie - 10, July, 2010 (9:31)

I personally don't mind male or female for leader.I just can't get over how she defended every thing K Rudd did right up untill they thought that they might loose their jobs. Not good enough to now say that they were loosing their direction.
Rod - 10, July, 2010 (7:56)

Who is she -well we know this
Craig Emerson (minister for Small business ) left his wife to be with her .
She was involved in promoting the Communist doctrine
She doesnt believe in Religion
She was one of the gang of 4 in running our country into massive debt
She promised schoolkids Computers which she has failed to complete .
She was responsible for the management and rorting in the School building program
She is childless
She is unmarried
She has terrible dress sense
She has a big nose and bottom
She dyes her hair to cover the grey
Does she merit the job of running our great country???? --I somehow doubt it
Sarah - 10, July, 2010 (6:57)

I look at the women who have led parties in leadership roles in the past, and I shudder to think that another one could be trusted with being in charge of our great nation.
Remember:
Joan Kirner, who sent Victoria broke
Carmen Lawrence was corrupt and left WA in disgrace
Anna Bligh has ruined the great state of Qld
Kristina Keneally might look good, but has no idea in NSW
Now we are considering electing Julia Gillard as Prime Minister, after she actually 'stole' the job of an elected PM in Kevin Rudd. Wake up Australia before it is too late.
Lloyd - 10, July, 2010 (6:46)

I'm not voting for Julia Gillard - not because of her sex (or lack of it), but because she was the architect of the policies, along with Kevin Rudd, Wayne Swan and Lindsay Tanner, that have cost the nation's taxpayers billions and billions of dollars, and taken us nowhere. They have been tearing up our hard earned money and tossing it about like confetti, and I'm very irate about that. This is the same dog with a different leg-action.
Ken - 10, July, 2010 (6:14)

Rudd was arguably the hardest working Prime Minister in our brief history. For 18 months we suffered from the half cocked efforts of the Caucus of 4. Tanner has gone; Rudd is cleaning all the blood off his shoes & nobody has appeared to replace either. We are now Governed by a Caucus of 2 which has already stuffed up the mining super tax & the boat people. Gillard had better call the early election before the honeymoon is over & Australians realise what is happening.
Lee - 10, July, 2010 (5:26)

I would never vote Labour no matter who is leader because I feel that it is the back room boys who pull the strings. The faceless ones just as it is with the NSW State government.

They are ruining Australia
Gordon - 10, July, 2010 (0:26)

Gender is irrelevant. I did however vote for Kevin Rudd as leader, not Julia Gillard. Many will say that I voted Labor, and the leader is irrelevant. If that is true then Labor have just deposed the most popular leader in Australia's history on the basis of slip-ups that were mostly of J.G's doing, and yet she is elevated to leadership via a back-stabbing coup...not honorable, not sensible, not confidence inspiring, not honest, and most of all NOT AUSTRALIAN. This is one of the county's saddest hours, and shows that democracy is truly dead. Our fate is likely to be like Italy's laughable turnover of leaders, or indeed similar to many 3rd world and South American countries. The corporate world via their lobbyists and corrupt political power-brokers now own Australian politics...how sad...even sadder that we let it happen without nary a protest. When I was at Uni (in the 60's) we would have been marching in the street...sad,sad,sad...
William Lim - 9, July, 2010 (23:50)

I don't appreciate the way Kevin Rudd was disposed off - JG is no saint - pledge her support for Kevin Rudd superficially but plunge the knife deep for the killing - very unaustralian way to become the first female PM - SHAME!!!SHAME!!!SHAME!!! NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF!!!
christine - 9, July, 2010 (22:49)

It doesn't matter what gender the PM is. I don't appreciate Kevin being stabbed in the back though. That behavior by anyone is apalling and I don't tolerate that. Unfortunately I don't think Australia has much of a choice. I don't like JG but at least she won't allow work choices to take hold again.
Tony Abbott will - heaven help us if he gets in! Bring back Kevin Rudd!!
All I can do is pray that God will help me vote for the right person. A PM is needed who is honest, trustworthy,reliable and will do their utmost for this nation, the children, elderly, health, the environment- have a heart for the people, listen to us and lead us in a Godly way. Shall have to pray for JG. Not looking forward to this next election at all.
Wendy - 9, July, 2010 (22:32)

I feel sorry for Julia. I believe she was as surprised as the rest of us regarding the change of leadership. She's been thrown out of her comfort zone and simply needs time to adjust to her new role. Let's give her a chance to prove herself - I think she is more than capable of doing the job
Rob Andersson - 9, July, 2010 (22:23)

Sex is irrelevant in this job - however, whoever gets in will be on the downslide pretty quickly. In the case of Gillard she helped stab the leader - she nodded her head in agreement with all his policies and she is run by the Unions - Yet she is odds on to win in a landslide? - sad day for Australia to be run by a person who also does not believe in God.
carola taleski - 9, July, 2010 (22:16)

The way she became MP is not different from a coup, that we hear from developing countries. it is soo unaustralian and gender is not reason to vote.
Bob B - 9, July, 2010 (21:52)

Sex is no measure of the leadership quality of an individual, skills and application are the thing. And she has just proven she is no better than Kevin with her stumble over using East Temor. Bring on an election.
Tom - 9, July, 2010 (21:27)

Whether we have a female or male PM is immaterial to me. I want someone with honesty and integrity. So, the way Gillard was elected smacks against that. What galls me is that we have a Prime Minister deposed halfway thru his "reign". It certainly does not indicate stability to the rest of the world. I certainly will be voting neither for Labour nor the Conservatives in the next Federal Election. Go - The Greens.
Dorothy - 9, July, 2010 (21:04)

I am embarrassed to call myself an Australian with Julia Gillard as our Prime Minister. She is an insult to Australians.
Colleen - 9, July, 2010 (20:51)

Just didn't like the way things happened that we now have our first woman Prime Minister. Just wish it all happened differently. Can remember when Rudd was on the crest of the wave, now just dumped head first. Not nice politics at all.
Al Barron - 9, July, 2010 (20:47)

Its silly nonsense to say gender doesn't matter. Of course it matters! Many people will vote for her simply because she is female. Also, the Bible says that it is a man's place to lead, and not a woman's.
Keith - 9, July, 2010 (20:30)

Gender has nothing to do with whether or not she should be P.M. The way she talks so slowly to people, emphasing her words, reeks of "I'm better than you. You're dumb and I have to speak slowly so you can follow what I say".
Trevor - 9, July, 2010 (20:06)

Julia Gillard might be the Prime Minister, but she is still the mouth piece for the Labor Party.
I have not heard or seen anything in the media on how the Carbon Emisstion Scheme is going to remove the carbon all I have heard and seen is a revenue raiser for the Government.
I would also like Political Parties and United Nations tell me how they are going to Elimination Of All Forms Of Racial Discrimination when they use Racial Discrimination.
Descent is racial discrimination.
The Australian Constitution in 1901 United all the people as one, it is the politicians who are segregating the Australian People, I can not segregate.
Pikki - 9, July, 2010 (19:58)

Being a woman is irrelevant, but being honest is very relevant - and JG has shown by her deceitful actions to get the job that she is not honest. At least John Howard earned the nickname "honest John" and Tony Abbott admits to making mistakes - but neither ever betrayed their leader as JG has done. The party she "leads" needs to be ousted from Government at the next election as punishment for their overall deceitfulness.
Geoff Elsworth - 9, July, 2010 (19:47)

I think Julia Gillard will do pretty well as PM.
She's the best that the ALP have to offer at present and I don't see that the coalition have much to offer as competition. She seems to be very astute, hard working and has a consensus approach that looks very effective. She projects sincerity well although "trustworthy and reliable" is a bit much to expect in this game. I don't think she's anymore of an assassin than Keating was with Hawke or McMahon was with Gorton or any of the other leadership changes in recent times. I wish her luck.
David - 9, July, 2010 (19:17)

What a choice we have at the next election. Both candidatates have the ability to look you right in the eye and lie. I like the idea of having a woman Prime Minister but the way she got to where she is really puts me off, but how could you vote for the only other option. She may just get in by default.
rON - 9, July, 2010 (19:12)

She has not got the "balls"
Zennypenny - 9, July, 2010 (18:37)

Julia Gillard is a joke! She had to stab Rudd in the back to get where she wants to be.
It doesnt matter if the leader is a woman or a man, for as long as this leader has the qualities representative of the country it leads!
She was quick to discredit her predecessor, in a hurry to 'solve' very sensitive immigration issues not thinking like a true diplomat before she makes her statements/decisions/etc.
Very green, I say. Labor's changing of their guards in desperation and chose Gillard may have done more harm than good.
Judith De La Cruz - 9, July, 2010 (18:31)

If the Labour party think they have made an election winning move by putting a female in as PM then they have obviously forgotten that the 2 labour female premiers ie. Qld and NSW are both very unpopular and neither are likely to get back into power after the election. Additionally, I don't think people will warm to the new PM considering the back stabbing she did to get the job. Aussie's don't like those sort of things. I think she will go down in history as the not only the first female PM but also the only PM to be in office less than 6 months. We shall see....
Judy Milligan - 9, July, 2010 (18:25)

I just want someone that can do a good job. It does not matter if it is a male or a female.Already we can see the same type of governing that kevin Rudd demonstrated. i.e. a total stuff up!!
sealion - 9, July, 2010 (18:20)

From what I've seen since Julia Gillard "usurped" the top job in the "Julius Caesar/Brutus" fashion it is much of the same old thing presented in a more amatuer way... This lot didn't have a clue from the outset & when Julia finally gets the proverbial "tap on the shoulder" what have we got to look forward too? WAYNE SWAN... Ye Gods, protect me from this joke & bring on the Liberals... Pleeease!!! And yes John, voting by gender is irrational & puerile but to listen to the women phoning in on talk back radio thats what we are going to get at the next election... HEEHAW!!!
narelle - 9, July, 2010 (17:51)

Agree with others. Gender is no issue here. Policy and integrity should be the considerations of leadership positions and hopefully, prayerfully the Australian voting public will show the wisdom of electing people with the same.
Glenda Stripling - 9, July, 2010 (17:36)

The new PM has already shown that male or female the mistakes are just the same and so is the spin. The asylum seekers issue is a case in point. What a disaster. She is shameless in the way she makes announcements purely on the basis of polling. I really worry just what will become of this great country if she and her party are re-elected.
Rob - 9, July, 2010 (17:26)

Dont care if she is female or male but was the way that she gained the top job that leaves us a bit cold- Little like Brutas and Julius Ceaser - the stab in the back. Wont matter anyway think that Labour have done enough damage to the country now and common sense will return to the Political scene.
Charmaine - 9, July, 2010 (17:21)

I do believe that it is significant that Prime Minister Gillard is Australia's first female Prime Minister so it is to be hoped that going forward gender will not be an issue either way in the choice of any of our polititians. I think PM Gillard is a very good communicator and overall is doing a good job given the short time she has been in the position. For Australia's sake I wish her wisdom and good judgement in her government's decisions.
C Magen - 9, July, 2010 (17:19)

I think she is in way over her head - has no sense of protocol and this is not because she is a woman - it makes no difference man or woman. It is the ability to do the most important job for the good of our country well, govern with foresight to the future and not just your term of office
Sue - 9, July, 2010 (17:16)

I am pleased that Australia now has a female PM. It seems an affirmation of what women worked towards in the sixties and seventies - equal pay, women's rights and acknowledgement that genders are equal. Mind you, she still has to do the job ...
Gail - 9, July, 2010 (17:14)

She didn't know much about education but I was pleased to see her as PM - until her latest statements on asylum seekers. This was disappointing to say the least. As a nation we used to have a pretty good record for accepting people who needed a safe home. This appears to be no longer the case and it looks like the PM is buying into the stupid scare campaign started by the other red head a few years ago. My vote will be for someone - male or female - who can lead with compassion as well as having a positive vision for this great country.
Alan - 9, July, 2010 (17:10)

Whether the PM is male or female is irrelevant what & who they stand for and represent is paramount. Gillard's is one of the key components of failed policies & the failed Rudd experiment on several key issues - lest anyone forget. She deserves no better than to be thrown out !!!!!
shirley lockhart - 9, July, 2010 (17:08)

Gender should not be a consideration - the welfare of all Australians and of the country is what should matter most
Robyne - 9, July, 2010 (17:06)

The gender is irrelevant - what matters is can she do the job? I personally feel uncomfortable at the cavalier way Rudd was ousted. Do I want a PM who starts a career like that? I dont think so. She could have achieved the same outcome with a little more diplomacy and also compassion (not demonstrated in any speech after her little coup)
Peter Bourns - 9, July, 2010 (17:02)

The gender is not important for the job of Prime Minister, it just needs an astute politician and equally importantly a good Statesman. I can not see either quality in the present PM. She has too much lead in the saddle bags.
Merrie Carling - 9, July, 2010 (16:58)

I think it's a big step for women that we now have a female Prime Minister. However the most important thing is that Julia Gillard does the job that is needed - that she shows compassion for refugees, that she finds a way through the climate debate which will help delay global warming and that she listens to the mental health advocates especially those who advocate on behalf of children.
Albert Abel - 9, July, 2010 (16:57)

Whether the PM is male or female, I think makes little difference. It's whether the PM is Trustworthy and Reliable and is SEEN to have the welfare of the Australian Nation foremost in the Governing. The record over the past year or so indicates......
John - 9, July, 2010 (16:57)

I have voted for several different women in my life, as well as men. Being a woman or a man was not part of my thought process, ability to do the job and policies was. Anyone who votes by gender is obviously irrational and puerile.

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Australia's first female PM

Australia's first female PM

What difference will it make, if any, having a female prime minister?

Comments (85)

Ian Cook - 6, August, 2010 (9:29)

Wal Hardy - 26, July, 2010 (22:55)

Brett Gray - 24, July, 2010 (18:09)

Lorikeet - 23, July, 2010 (15:30)

Brett Gray - 21, July, 2010 (18:21)

Ralphe M de la Croix - 21, July, 2010 (14:25)

Barry - 21, July, 2010 (8:58)

Geoff UNICOMB - 20, July, 2010 (6:57)

Bill Kirk - 19, July, 2010 (13:09)

Carole - 19, July, 2010 (11:50)

Clem J Collier - 16, July, 2010 (16:44)

Irish Eyes - 15, July, 2010 (11:57)

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Lorikeet - 13, July, 2010 (17:25)

Colin Benbow - 13, July, 2010 (10:58)

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Noel - 12, July, 2010 (19:41)

Ralphe M de la Croix - 12, July, 2010 (14:49)

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Robert Cohen - 10, July, 2010 (23:25)

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William Lim - 9, July, 2010 (23:50)

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Rob Andersson - 9, July, 2010 (22:23)

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Bob B - 9, July, 2010 (21:52)

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Al Barron - 9, July, 2010 (20:47)

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Zennypenny - 9, July, 2010 (18:37)

Judith De La Cruz - 9, July, 2010 (18:31)

Judy Milligan - 9, July, 2010 (18:25)

sealion - 9, July, 2010 (18:20)

narelle - 9, July, 2010 (17:51)

Glenda Stripling - 9, July, 2010 (17:36)

Rob - 9, July, 2010 (17:26)