Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Inaugural Report 2018
The Glass Labyrinth
Increasing female political representation in Australia – lessons from New Zealand by Elise Delpiano
EMILY’s List Australia - - Contents
Message from the convenors 4
Executive summary 6
Introduction 7
Female political leadership in Australia and New Zealand 8
Why is having greater female political participation important? 10
Factors hindering a higher level of female representation 11
Methodology 13
New Zealand: a case study 14
Challenges faced by women in politics 20
Research recommendations: Increasing female political participation 25
1. Introducing a formal mentoring program for female Labor candidates 26
2. Equipping women with a toolkit for Cabinet 27
3. Consider different mechanisms for selecting Cabinet positions 28
4. Consider the state of electoral funding laws 29
Annexure A 30
Annexure B 30
Glossary 31
Aboriginal acknowledgement
EMILY’s List Australia proudly acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first peoples and Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely.
We acknowledge and respect that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are steeped in traditions and customs built on an incredibly disciplined social and cultural order. This social and cultural order has sustained up to 50,000 years of existence.
We acknowledge the ongoing leadership role of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community on gender equality. As First Peoples, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are best placed to determine a culturally appropriate path to gender equality in their communities.
In this document, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. - -
“I’m proud to be supporting the next generation of women leaders.
I congratulate Elise on her report and I am confident that the internship has made a positive impact on her development as a potential future leader.”
Julia Gillard Australia’s 27th Prime Minister
Julia Gillard and Elise Delpiano Message from the convenors
EMILY’s List Australia is proud to release the Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Canada inaugural report of the Julia Gillard Next in2016. Elise has demonstrated leadership quali- Generation Internship. Developed in ties in male dominated programs and encouraged partnership with our first female Prime Minister, other young women to fulfil their potential. the internship gives life to Ms Gillard’s legacy and fulfils a long-term ambition of EMILY’s List As her internship project, Elise chose to compare Australia to promote and make political life the experience of New Zealand’s female political easier for the next generation of talented leaders with that of Australian women Members progressive women leaders. of Parliament. New Zealand outranks Australia on the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap In the 22 years since its inception, EMILY’s List List and has had three women attain the highest Australia has supported the election of 250 office of Prime Minister compared to our one. women to Australia’s state and federal parlia- ments. To continue our success and to ensure As part of her internship, Elise travelled to New our parliaments achieve gender parity, we need Zealand to meet with the inspirational Prime to create a pipeline of talented women leaders Minister Jacinda Arden and other Labour women and nurture them through the labyrinth of Aus- Members of the New Zealand Parliament. There, tralian pollitics, gender policy and the new 24/7 Elise investigated political culture and structural media landscape. and social support for women in New Zealand politics. The Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Program provides a young or emerging woman For the duration of her internship, Elise was leader with: hosted by The Hon. Penny Sharpe, MLC NSW in her electorate office. Here, Elise was able to • The opportunity to undertake research into benefit greatly from the wisdom and experience best practice gender equality policy and of a pro-choice MP working on an enormous • program initiatives across the world and legislative project - the passage of Safe Access to bring back learnings for the benefit of Zones around abortion clinics. During her time in Australian women. Penny Sharpe’s Office, Elise also had an • To travel overseas and meet with progressive opportunity to meet with Helen Clark, former women leaders Prime Minister of New Zealand and head of the • To work in the office of a progressive Labor United Nations Development Program. And of woman parliamentarian and receive direct course, Elise also had the opportunity to spend mentoring and Support time with Ms Gillard herself, gaining exclusive • To learn about the importance of fundrais- insights into what it is like leading the nation. ing and relationship building for progressive campaigns We acknowledge the tremendous support of the program by our Prime Ministers - Julia, Jacinda After a competitive application process, open to and Helen. We’re thrilled that our first intern had women across Australia, Elise Delpiano was the such an incredible opportunity for mentoring from standout candidate as the recipient of the first leaders on the world stage. Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship. A student at the University of New South Wales, We also thank Penny for her mentoring and she previously participated in the dedication to gendered policy making, which Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians provided Elise with a perfect role model. ‘Stepping Up’ program and was elected as the Opposition Leader of the first female-led
4 | EMILY’s List Australia This project would not be possible without the wonderful support of the Australian Workers Union (AWU). Through their sponsorship and support, we were able to fully fund Elise’s travel component of this internship. This greatly enhanced the scope of the research Elise was able to conduct. The AWU has been at the forefront of the making of Labor leaders. We are proud to be partnering with them to create the next generation of women.
Finally, we acknowledge the work of EMILY’s List staff and volunteers, especially CEO Maree Overall and national office staff, intern convenors Katie Whitehead, Meghan Hopper and the NSW EMILY’s List Action Group led by Trish Doyle and Bridget Wardlaw, for the enormous fundraising efforts.
We commend this report to you and look forward to watching Elise’s political career flourish into the future.
Sharon Claydon and Tanja Kovac National Co-Convenors EMILY’s List Australia
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 5 Executive Summary
Within Australian state and between Australia and New Leadership progress for women federal parliaments women do Zealand. It also compares dif- is not one simple glass ceiling to not have equality in leadership ferences between structures of break through. Rather, it involves or decision making positions. the Australian Labor Party and a glass labyrinth that needs The fact that the number of the New Zealand Labour Party. to be navigated throughout a women in higher office within While both parties have affir- woman’s career. To achieve and Australian Parliaments is far less mative action in some form to maintain equal representation than the 50% of the population reach 50% representation, in our parliaments, women need they represent demonstrates neither go far enough in support at all stages of their there are institutional and ensuring safe electorate seats career, not just when they run cultural barriers. Women face are equally shared between for parliament. challenges in running for and men and women. New holding public office, and it is Zealanders are more accepting evident that it is not just a glass of women leaders and have a ceiling to break through but a culture of celebrating women to complex labyrinth of gendered a greater extent than Australia biases to be negotiated and in and are world leaders in some instances endured. celebrating their indigenous representatives in Parliament In Australia, women make up with specific Māori electorate only 34% of elected seats. Australian parliaments representatives in parliaments severely lack this cultural across the country. There has diversity. been a slow increase since women were first elected, but The report offers four still face significant structural recommendations for increasing challenges, especially in female political representation: becoming ministers and heads of government. There has only 1. The Australian Labor been one woman prime Party should introduce a minister. New Zealand has formal mentoring program Leadership made more progress towards for women candidates closing the gender gap and has a withformer MPs who are progress for higher proportion of women committed to regular and women is not members in its Parliament ongoing mentoring support (38%). They also have an 2. Women should be equipped one simple glass impressive record of three for cabinet positions by ceiling to break female Prime Ministers in the continuing professional last twenty years. To understand development and allocation through. Rather, it what may be implemented in of committee positions to involves a glass Australia, this report involves a develop further experience case study of the New Zealand 3. Affirmative action for labyrinth that Labour Party and the initiatives cabinet positions needs to be undertaken to improve female 4. Review electoral funding political representation. provisions to allow for cost navigated of childcare and partner throughout a The report compares the elec- travel allowance to assist toral system, the level of sup- women with young children woman’s career. port and the cultural differences during campaigns
6 | EMILY’s List Australia Introduction
Women face an extra set of However, the ways in which these challenges in running for and challenges manifest are far more holding public office, especially shocking and widespread than when it changes the status quo. previously thought. When women do break through these barriers, they are seen as On many fronts, New Zealand has having ‘broken through the glass made greater progress towards ceiling’. However, it is evident that gender equality than Australia. New there is not just one glass ceiling Zealand has higher female political women have to break to achieve empowerment than Australia, [1] has gender equality, both in politics and made more progress towards clos- in society. The challenges women ing the gender gap and has a higher face are multifaceted and incredi- proportion of women bly complex and confront women members in its Parliament (38%). [2] throughout their leadership journey. This report seeks to understand In addition to this progress towards these challenges and provide gender equality, New Zealand recommendations to assist future has an impressive record of three gender equality initiatives. female Prime Ministers in the last twenty years. To understand what In Australia, women make up only may be implemented in Australia, 34% of elected representatives in this report involves a case study of parliaments across the the New Zealand Labour Party and country. While there has been some the initiatives undertaken to improvement in female political improve female political representation, women still face representation. significant structural challenges, especially in becoming ministers and heads of government.
Julia Gillard during her first speech in federal parliament on November 11th 1998
[1] World Economic Forum, ‘The Global Gender Gap Report 2017’
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 7 Female political leadership in Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand have achieve 50% female made significant strides towards representation by 2025, while increasing their level of female some jurisdictions have already political representation over the achieved this. [5] New Zealand past few decades. In both Labour fell just short of gender countries, leftist parties such as parity in its parliament at the the Australian Party, New 2017 election. [6] Zealand Labour Party and the Greens have adopted While Australia is doing better affirmative action measures to at approaching gender parity in assist women. its state and federal parliaments, the real point of However, there is room in both distinction between Australia countries for improvement in and New Zealand is in female the overall proportion of female leadership at the higher levels representatives in parliament. of politics. In the last 20 years, When the proportion of women New Zealand has seen three is broken down by political female Prime Ministers: Dame party, it is clear that left-leaning Jenny Shipley (1997 – 1999), parties are leaping ahead of Helen Clark (1999 – 2008), and their conservative colleagues. now, Jacinda Ardern (2017 – [3] In parliaments across present). Meanwhile, Australia Australia, Labor and the Greens has had only one woman – Julia sit at close to or above parity Gillard. This demonstrates that between female and male female MPs in Australia political representation, while continue to face ingrained the Liberal and National Parties structural barriers that prevent sit at around 20% female them from reaching the pinnacle representation. [4] of political leadership.
This suggests that affirmative However, Australian women action works and is an effective have had more success at the This suggests that tool in achieving better female state level with female Premiers affirmative action representation in politics. being endorsed more frequently. Queensland and works and is an In terms of equal representation New South Wales both currently effective tool in of gender amongst Members have a female Premier [7] and, of Parliament (MPs), Australia’s with the exception of South achieving better Labor Party and New Zealand’s Australia, all other States and female Labour Party have Territories have had a female experienced similar levels of Leader of Government. In 2011, representation in success. In most Australian four of the nine leaders at the politics. jurisdictions, Labor is on track to Council of Australian
8 | EMILY’s List Australia Elise Delpiano Governments (COAG) were her Party from Opposition into and New Zealand women at the same time Government. Further, the Prime Minister Australia had a female success of having four of the Jacinda Ardern Governor-General. [8] New nine COAG leaders was short- Zealand’s political system is not lived. Seven years later, COAG comparable in this respect has only two women leaders. [11] because they do not have a state system. Progress toward gender equality is not linear. Concerted efforts Nonetheless, reaching the must continue to be taken to pinnacle of political leadership ensure that we do not falter is “still a milestone for women in our progress towards more rather than a regular event”. [9] representative parliaments. This Many female leaders have been report will aim to provide unable to gain and maintain the recommendations to ensure leadership to win an election by that any increase in female popular mandate. [10] To date, political representation is not a Annastacia Palaszczuk is the one-off occurrence but rather only woman who has led ongoing progress.
[3] See Annexure A. [4] A Hough, ‘Composition of Australian parliaments by party and gender: a quick guide’, Parliamentary Library, 18 May 2018 < https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1718/Quick_Guides/ PartyGender>. [5] See Annexure A. [6] Ibid. [7] Annastacia Palaszczuk (QLD), Gladys Berejiklian (NSW). [8] Julia Gillard, Kristina Keneally (NSW), Anna Bligh (QLD), Lara Giddings (TAS) and Dame Quentin Bryce (Governor-Gener- al). [9] T Verge and R Pastor (2018) ‘Women’s Political Firsts and Symbolic Representation’, Journal of Women, Politics & Policy, 39(1), 26. [10] e.g. Carmen Lawrence (WA), Joan Kirner (VIC), Kristina Keneally (NSW), Lara Giddings (TAS). [11] M Byrne, ‘Guest Editorial’
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 9 Why is having greater female political participation important?
A key tenet of our democratic Without women in our system is that the people who parliaments, it is unlikely that A key tenet of are elected as representatives there would be a paid parental of the people should reflect the leave scheme. Without women, our democratic people they represent. there might not be safe access system is that the zones around reproductive When there is not equal health clinics, a push for more people who are representation in our parlia- affordable childcare, more elected as ments, they do not reflect the accessible IVF, the removal of society they are supposed to the GST from female hygiene representatives of represent. It therefore makes products, gradual reform to the people should sense that these differences have abortion decriminalised, need to be represented in our a narrowing of the gender reflect the people parliaments to ensure that all pay gap, a Sex Discrimination they represent. the population has its voice Act, RU486 being placed on heard. the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme… the list goes on. Having more women in Parliament is also essential to Women have a different ensure issues affecting women perspective on the daily issues are acted upon. When women that affect them and it is reach a critical mass in paramount that these Parliament, they have the perspectives should be heard in potential to have greater government. bargaining power on issues affecting women.[12] Research suggests that until women reach around 30% representation, they are generally not regarded as key political operators that need to have their voices heard. Once this 30% threshold is reached, women are much more visible and can make a stronger impact on the legislative agenda of the parliament. [13] Increasing the proportion of female MPs across Australian parliaments [12] K Celis (2013) ‘Representativity in times of diversity: The political has seen a greater level of representation of women’, Women’s advocacy and action on Studies International Forum, 41, 180-181. women’s issues and this will [13] M Sawer (2012) ‘What makes the increase further as female substantive representation of women political representation possible in a Westminster parliament? The story of RU486 in Australia’, approaches gender parity. International Political Science Review, 33(3), 321-322.
10 | EMILY’s List Australia Factors hindering a higher Level of female representation
There is an increasing increasing number of female There is research awareness of the factors that MPs, women are often still seen prevent a higher proportion of as novel exceptions in politics, suggesting that female candidates running for, [15] especially when they are in seeing women in and holding, public office. These leadership roles. include the disproportionate high-level, visible attention female political This novelty perpetuates the positions of public candidates receive from the poor treatment of women in media and the public and the politics. People are accustomed office can act as a flow-on effect of this making to seeing men in positions of role model women more reluctant to run power. Women are therefore for office. The type of electoral questioned about their function for young system used can also play a role deservedness and competence women. in the level of female political to be in a leadership position representation. because it falls outside the status quo. Men are assumed to be competent and deserving Differential because men have primarily treatment of women held these leadership positions in the past. The criteria for in the public sphere being successful in a political leadership position are based Firstly, women in politics garner on previous, largely male a disproportionate amount of examples. [16] If the status quo attention from the media and has been disturbed and a the public because of their female occupies such a position, gender. [14] Despite the people begin to question how
Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and former United States of America Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 11 she got there and what she must hesitant to run for public office Most lower houses in Australia have done to reach this position. and need to be mentored and use a type of SMD system, while Trailblazing women do not fit the supported. This is understand- upper houses utilise various mould of previous, male leaders able in light of the way many forms of proportional – meaning people react female leaders are personally representation. As a result, the differently to the image of a vilified in office and due to proportion of female MPs is woman leader. structurally-embedded gender marginally higher in upper roles discouraging women from houses across Australia. [25] This leads to women political entering the political arena. [21] leaders facing a higher level of New Zealand, as a unicameral personal scrutiny. Women are Research has demonstrated that legislature, adopted an MMP criticised on their choice of women are less likely to come model in 1996 and has since clothing, hairstyle, need to wear forward than men to apply for seen a higher proportion of more or less makeup, their mari- positions, even when they meet female MPs. tal status, their decision to have most of the position criteria. On children or not, and their sexual the other hand, men are more orientation. This focus on fac- likely to come forward when tors irrelevant to political per- they meet even some of the formance acts as a mechanism position criteria. This that hinders female progress, [17] phenomenon also applies to and can prevent other women running for public office. To from considering running for ensure that women consider public office due to the intense running for public office, current personal scrutiny that women in MPs should continue to seek political office are subject to.[18] out talented women and encourage them to run. There is research suggesting that seeing women in high-level, visible positions of public office Type of electoral can act as a role model function system for young women. [19] Another factor identified as However, it does not consider hindering a higher level of the horrific treatment high female representation is the profile women have recently type of electoral system used faced, such as Hillary Clinton by a country. Mixed-member and Julia Gillard, and the proportional (MMP) systems are effect this may have on women generally viewed to facilitate considering a political career. higher levels of female This treatment of senior female representation, whereas single figures at the highest levels of member district systems (SMD) politics can reinforce the notion are the opposite. [22] SMD means that women are not welcome only one candidate is in politics. This is especially chosen, which historically has problematic when 30% of young excluded women and minorities. women already believe their [23] Such systems also gender is a barrier to a career in perpetuate a ‘winner takes all politics in contrast to a mere 4% approach’, which feeds into the of young men. [20] perception that men are more accustomed to the “gladiatori- In light of this, the literature also al type of political battle than suggests that many women are women… making them… more attractive candidates in SMD systems”. [24] 12 | EMILY’s List Australia Methodology
My research sought to • About their perception of understand how female gender in politics and how Where physical distance was a political representation could their gender might have barrier, interviews were be improved in Australia, at affected them during their conducted over the phone. both caucus and cabinet level. political journey; Some interviewees invited other In doing so, I looked at New • How we can overcome the participants to join in the Zealand’s progress in this area lacuna of women in parlia- discussion, allowing them to to understand how they have ment; share their common been more successful in having • How we can ensure experiences or raise points of female leaders than Australia. we see more women in difference. Ultimately, this research seeks higher political leadership to make recommendations positions; and As much as possible, I kept for Australia on what can be • How political structures these interviews fairly informal learned from New Zealand that could change to be more so the interviewees felt would supplement the current conducive to female political comfortable to share more Labor Party system of quotas. representation. sensitive information.
In seeking to answer this This research report uses a question, I primarily interviewed qualitative methodology of Labor women in NSW and in-depth, semi-structured Labour women in New interviews. All questions were Zealand. Interviewees were open-ended, allowing current and former MPs, interviewees to raise points of candidates, longstanding party importance, recount anecdotes members, campaign managers of their personal experience or and union members. suggest further areas to consider in my research. The Each interviewee was told about majority of interviewees were the scope of the internship and interviewed in their office. asked similar questions:
[14] Setting the Agenda: A National Strategy for Gender Equality, 15-16; D E Campbell and C Wolbrecht (2006) ‘See Jane Run: Women Politicians as Role Models for Adolescents’, The Journal of Politics 68(2), 245. [15] KAM Wright and J Holland (2014) ‘Leadership and the media: Gendered framings of Julia Gillard’s ‘sexism and misogyny’ speech’, Australian Journal of Political Science, 49(3), 5-6. [16] R Murray (2014) ‘Quotas for Men: Reframing Gender Quotas as a Means of Improving Representation for All’, American Political Science Review 108(3), 522. [17] D Niven and J Zilber (2001) ‘”How Does She Have Time for Kids and Congress?” Views on Gender and Media Coverage from House Offices’ Women and Politics 23(1-2), 147-165. [18] Setting the Agenda: A National Strategy for Gender Equality, 15. [19] D E Campbell and C Wolbrecht (2006) ‘See Jane Run: Women Politicians as Role Models for Adolescents’, The Journal of Politics 68(2), 233-247. [20] Setting the Agenda: A National Strategy for Gender Equality, 15. [21] R L Fox and J L Lawless (2011) ‘Gendered Perceptions and Political Candidacies: A Central Barrier to Women’s Equality in Electoral Politics’, American Journal of Political Science, 55(1), 70. [22] R Salmond (2006) ‘Proportional Representation and Female Parliamentarians’, Legislative Studies Quarterly, 31, 177; M Tremblay (2007) ‘Electoral Systems and Substantive Representation of Women: A Comparison of Australia, Canada and New Zealand’, Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, 45(3), 284; J Kaminsky and T J White (2007) ‘Electoral Systems and Women’s Representation in Australia’, Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, 45(2), 186. [23] R Salmond (2006) ‘Proportional Representation and Female Parliamentarians’, Legislative Studies Quarterly, 31, 177. [24] Ibid. [25] A Hough, ‘Composition of Australian parliaments by party and gender: a quick guide’, Parliamentary Library, 18 May 2018.
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 13 New Zealand: a case study
From the outset, it is relevant New Zealand also has a Māori to note that New Zealand has electoral roll that operates a different electoral system to alongside the general roll. Every Australia. New Zealand adopted five years, electors have the a mixed-member proportional option to join the Māori or system in 1996. In essence, this general roll. The number of means each voter on the registered electors on the Māori general electoral roll is able to roll ultimately determines the cast two votes every election: number of Māori seats in the a vote for a candidate running Parliament. Everywhere in New for their electorate (the winner Zealand is covered by both a becomes the ‘Electorate MP’) Māori and general electorate. and a vote for the political party There are currently seven Māori of their choice. The amount of electorate seats in the Parlia- party votes each party receives ment, all of which are held by designates the proportion of Labour. List seats a particular party wins. Each party develops a List The New Zealand Parliament prior to the election that orders is unicameral, so Electorate their preferred candidates. and List MPs sit together in the Those at the top of the List have House of Representatives. Both the best chances of being Electorate and List MPs are able elected as ‘List MPs’. to hold Cabinet positions and the Prime Ministership.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke, Penny Sharpe Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council and Elise Delpiano
14 | EMILY’s List Australia Mixed-member of refining the messaging of any future changes to Party rules proportional: a before the rules are changed female-friendly and publicly announced. electoral system? In light of the failure of the proposed women-only In New Zealand, most interview- selections, New Zealand Labour ees cited the introduction of the made alternate changes aimed MMP voting system in 1996 as at increasing female political the primary factor that representation within the Party. contributed to an increase in Instead, the Party changed their female representation across Constitution to implement a the political spectrum. While target for a minimum level of this new electoral system had female representation on the some initial success at increas- List. ing female representation, its effectiveness began to plateau From the 2014 election, the once female representation in Party’s Moderating Committee the Labour Party reached was bound to determine a List approximately 35%. Māori order that ensured the elected representation has also caucus would comprise of at remained at least proportional least 45% women. This to the New Zealand population percentage increased to 50% since MMP voting was from 2017 and subsequent introduced. [27] elections. [29] This involves a complex process of electoral Changing the (Party) modelling that seeks to determine how many List MPs rules will be elected from the List on various predictive models of the In light of this stagnation, there election outcome. was an increasing recognition within the Labour Party that Since this constitutional there needed to be a greater amendment was made, Labour proportion of female MPs. The has seen the proportion of its first attempt to increase female female MPs increase from 39% representation in the Party was to 46%. [30] Labour had intended to create women-only selections to reach the 50% threshold in for candidates in some regions. the 2017 election but achieved a This change was approved by higher Party vote than the Labour Party’s rank and file predicted and fell just short. only to be very publicly overturned by then-leader, Some interviewees suggested David Shearer. This backflip on that this constitutional change affirmative action was a disaster. did not go far enough in The Party was criticised in the ensuring that the current level media first for implementing a of the Party’s proportion of ‘man ban’, and then a ‘man female representation does not ban-ban’ after the rule change decrease. This is because the was overruled by Shearer. [28] current affirmative action measures are based on the List This highlights the importance and are subject to fall as the
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 15 Party vote does. As more more broadly). Some women are elected on the List interviewees suggested that this New Zealanders than in electorate seats, this stems from the strong history of leaves women especially celebrating their female have a culture vulnerable to a decrease in the sportswomen, while others of celebrating level of Party support. Like in pointed to the respect of female Australia, men leaders in all professions. Such female leaders overwhelmingly still hold safe acceptance of female (both in politics electorate seats and female leadership demonstrates that interviewees expressed their seeing women in power is very and society more frustration at the glacial pace at much part of New Zealand’s broadly). which this is changing. national psyche.
Many interviewees raised the New Zealand’s importance of the legacy of history of New Zealand being the first nation to grant women’s suffrage celebrating in 1893. Interviewees talked of women leaders New Zealanders’ ongoing pride of this and how this continues to Through my interviews in New ring true as New Zealand Zealand, it became clear that continues to be a world leader New Zealanders have a culture for female empowerment. of celebrating female leaders (both in politics and society
New Zealand Labour Member of Parliament Ginny Andersen and Elise Delpiano
16 | EMILY’s List Australia country. In addition to Helen Clark as Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, Governor General, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Attorney-General were all women. [32] New Zealand has since had anoth- er female Prime Minister and two female Governors-Gener- al. [33] The election of Jacinda Ardern and the arrival of her baby were also raised as im- portant steps in demonstrat- ing that New Zealand is a world leader for female political leadership.
Some interviewees also suggested that Helen Clark’s 1999 election defeat of Jenny Shipley cemented the idea that a female could be Prime Minister. The milestone of having two women leading both major political parties into an election was generally celebrated rather than criticised. Helen Clark’s New Zealand Minister for Māori Many female MPs also raised tenure as Prime Minister for Development and Minister for the embodiment of this legacy almost Local Government Nanaia in the Government’s ‘Girls can nine years was seen as a nor- Mahuta and Elise Delpiano do anything’ campaign malisation of female throughout the 1980s. [31] political leadership for many. Female MPs who grew up during this campaign talked of a Representation of broadening of their expectations for their future Maori women and a feeling that they could pursue whichever occupation New Zealand is also a leader they pleased beyond the in celebrating its indigenous traditional gender constraints people in the Parliament. that existed at that time. In part, this stems from the existence of designated Maori New Zealand is This distinct cultural attitude seats and the was especially evident when introduction of the MMP also a leader in interviewees referred to past system. An emphasis on celebrating its and current female leaders. recognising the important role Many interviewees were very Maori play in New Zealand indigenous proud that in 2001, five of New society has also led to this people in the Zealand’s most powerful level of representation positions were held by women exceeding the seven . Parliament as a symbolic moment for the designated Maori seats in the
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 17 Parliament. There are 13 MPs Parliament a more family that identify as Maori in the friendly workplace for women Certain changes Labour caucus (28%), five of with young families. The addi- whom are female (10%). This is tion of childcare at the the highest level of representa- facilities to the New Zealand parliamentary tion of Māori MPs in any given Parliament allows working mums political party in history. [34] Such to do their job whilst also be level have also a high level of representation is a mother. An influx of young made the New also female MPs has contributed impressive, given it substantially to the gradual normalisation of Zealand exceeds the seven dedicated seeing babies in the House and Parliament a more Māori seats in the New Zealand assisting Parliament begin to Parliament. shake its image as a non-family family-friendly friendly workplace. workplace for Māori MPs also make up a significant proportion of New The current Speaker of the women with Zealand’s leadership positions: House in New Zealand will also young families. Deputy Prime Minister Winston hold MPs’ babies during Peters, Deputy Labour Leader proceedings, which reinforces Kelvin Davis, Opposition Leader the perception that the Simon Bridges, Deputy Parliament is a place that is Opposition Leader Paula friendly to women. This Bennett and Greens Co-Leader acceptance of female MPs Marama Davidson all identify having their babies in the as Māori. Thirteen Labour MPs chamber is also becoming more identify as Māori, five of whom widespread across parliaments are female. Five are also in Australia. Ministers.
This level of indigenous representation in the New Zealand Parliament, particularly of Māori women, should be an example for Australia. In Australia, it was not until 2013 that Nova Peris became the first female Indigenous Senator and 2016 when Linda Burney became the first Indigenous woman elected to the House of Representatives. [35] We have a long way to go to reach more representative and culturally diverse parliaments across Australia.
Parliamentary reform
Certain changes at the parliamentary level have also New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke made the New Zealand Gayford with their daughter Neve
18 | EMILY’s List Australia Issues for female government is usually formed because by a coalition of political parties, rather than a single representation in party. At present, the entire New Zealand Cabinet is made New Zealand: up of 35% women when New Zealand first ministers are Continuity of progress for included. This means that even female political if Labour progresses towards a representation gender-balanced cabinet, they potentially could fall short on While the New Zealand Labour account of a coalition partner. Party has made significant steps in increasing their female Nonetheless, Labour should political representation in endeavour to ensure women Parliament, the current are equally represented at the mechanism of targets for the cabinet level, even if a coalition List alone has the potential to partner does not make this such be problematic. Women make a priority. up a higher proportion of List MPs than Electorate MPs in New Zealand. [36] New Zealand Member of The exclusion of electorate Parliament Louisa Wall and seats from this target also Elise Delpiano means that female electorate candidates are potentially not supported to run to the same extent as female List candidates. This further ingrains the higher proportion of male candidates in safe electorate seats.
It would be interesting to see [26] Electoral Commission New Zealand 2018, ‘Māori Representation’
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 19 Challenges faced by women in politics
The challenges faced by women As Julia Gillard said in her last running for or holding public speech as Prime Minister, As Julia office are complex and gender “doesn’t explain troublesome. They vary from sly everything [about her Gillard said in comments to blatant threats, leadership], it doesn’t explain her last speech subtle snubs to obvious nothing. It explains something.” ignorance and off-putting as Prime behaviour to simply degrading Minister, gender treatment. Holding women to a different political “doesn’t explain These challenges come from everything everywhere within our society standard – the media, the public, fellow [about her The tone and nature of analysis Members of Parliament, friends of women in politics is different leadership], it and political foes. Despite to that used for men in Australia society slowly beginning to doesn’t explain and New Zealand. Pertinent ex- adjust to seeing women in posi- amples of this double standard nothing. It tions of power, the advent of include New Zealand Prime Min- social media has provided explains ister Jacinda Ardern being told another forum in which out- on national television that she something.” pourings of vitriol can be made had to publicly disclose whether towards female candidates and she intended to have children in MPs. the future, then was later being pressed for the date she con- Women of colour face ceived her child in a later inter- additional barriers in running for view. This is never said to men. office, which has seen Australian parliaments still overwhelming- ly lack the diversity that truly represents Australia. [37] The push for greater female political representation has not been as inclusive as it could be. Serious consideration needs to be given to mechanisms that better include and support women of colour in gaining political experience and seeking elected political office.
Overall, the effect that gender has on women’s political per- formance is not always easy to “explain, catch or quantify”. [38]
20 | EMILY’s List Australia Women’s credibility as a candidate for political office is While robust diminished through insults and condescending language, from language and a both within political sphere level of and in the broader communi- ty. Prime Minister Ardern was public scrutiny is labelled a ‘pretty little thing’ to be expected when asked whether she would make a good Prime Minister in politics, the and called a ‘stupid little girl’ gendered tone during a sitting of Parliament by a National MP who is yet to and belittling own up to making the remark. personal effect Demeaning headlines were also prevalent in New Zealand, such of such as those when there were races comments where the two major party candidates were both women towards women being labelled a ‘battle of the is unacceptable. babes’ or a ‘catfight’. [39]
This language also becomes increasingly abhorrent, as seen Attacking a woman when Julia Gillard was subject to insults such as “ditch the for her familial witch”, “Bob Brown’s bitch” and commitments told she should be put in a chaff bag and thrown out to sea. A double standard was Female politicians are regularly used against female threatened with violence, told interviewees in preselection they should be raped (or are too battles because of their ugly to be raped), criticised on perceived lack of time to put their dress, hair, makeup, mari- in the ‘hard yards’ (even if work tal status and children (or lack commitments were part-time in thereof). some cases). Such doubts are never cast over male While robust language and a candidates. level of public scrutiny is to be expected in politics, the This prejudice continues past gendered tone and belittling preselection and onto the personal effect of such campaign trail. Overwhelmingly, comments towards women is female candidates chose not to unacceptable. include their children or partner in their campaign material or on This language reflects the the campaign trail. This decision behaviour directed towards was often borne of fear of women both on the campaign harassment or the effect this trail and in office that is seldom could have on voters’ percep- reported. tions of them being to manage home life and their ability to perform the significant
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 21 Hillary Clinton with daughter Chelsea in 1984
commitments of being an MP. This contrasts with male “If we work too candidates, who regularly use their families in campaign hard, we’re material and on the campaign neglecting our trail to demonstrate that they are in tune with everyday families. If we put people and understand what family first, we’re families need. not serious about When women did not include work. If we have a their families in their public life, members of the public career but no questioned their marital children, there’s status, assumed they were gay or divorced, or that they were something wrong a bad parent for not being with with us… if we their child. When women did bring their children along for want to compete campaign activities such as for higher office, street stalls or door knocking, they were criticised for we’re too bringing their children into such ambitious.” an environment or were subject to the rough and tumble of politics. Whichever – Hillary Clinton way women decide to go, they are criticised.
22 | EMILY’s List Australia Treatment of women itself by male MPs and staffers. “The weird thing in once in public about having a Further, women in parliaments office around the country are faced baby as a female with unaccommodating elected This behaviour does not stop workplaces – even simple things with the public perception of like not having enough female representative is women’s suitability to hold bathrooms in the NSW [40] that it is – office. Once women overcome Parliamentary gym. Childcare the hurdle of being elected, facilities are not in place in many historically they face the challenge of parliaments around the country speaking – an colleagues and stakeholders and where they do exist, MPs not taking them seriously or and staff face long waiting lists. offence only go about actively undermining This is particularly difficult for rivalled in them. Offhanded comments female MPs and staff who are from male MPs questioning not based in the same city as seriousness by the women’s skillset or ability to do the parliament. offence of not their job were frequently expe- having one.” rienced by female interviewees. Gaining a place in Some behaviour is subtler in Cabinet nature but speaks volumes. – Annabel Crabb While there has been a marked Female MPs expressed their increase in the number of frustration at not being taken female MPs in parliaments seriously in stakeholder across the country, female MPs meetings with businesses, where are not being represented at the businessmen would address same rate at the higher levels of a female MP’s accompanying politics. In most States, female male staffer rather than the MP MPs continue to be excluded herself. Though we have come a from holding Cabinet positions long way since the 1990s when at the same rate as their male it was more common for female colleagues. MPs to be the only woman in the room, there is still a long While this discrepancy would way to go. make more sense if there were few women in Australian Some female interviewees were parliaments, Labor caucuses uninvited from events or told are approaching equal they were not welcome at the representation yet this has not request of male MPs or staffers, translated into same level of had legal action without basis female representation in threatened against them, and Cabinets. Equality of had their families dragged into representation should not be the rough and tumble of politics limited to the efforts of electing as a reaction to their more women MPs, but needs involvement. to be replicated with equal representation in all spheres of Other behaviour was more government. overtly threatening in its nature. Female MPs described being Some states have seen more sworn at, run at, and threatened success in reaching equal both in public and in Parliament representation in their Cabinets
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 23 Ministers Julie Collins, Kate Ellis, than others. The Palaszczuk When women are promoted to Kate Lundy, Jenny Macklin, Cabinet in 2015; [41] the Cabinet, they often are Tanya Plibersek, and Penny Gunner Cabinet in the Northern stereotyped and placed into Wong with Prime Minister Julia Territory (September 2016); [42] more ‘female’ portfolios (for Gillard in 2013 (The Monthly) and the White Shadow Cabinet example, education, health, in Tasmania (March 2017) have child-related). [44] Women are all reached or surpassed equal often excluded from economic representation in Cabinet. and financial portfolios, and [43] New Zealand has had less which are more traditionally success on this front, with only seen as stepping stones to the 37.5% of the Ardern Cabinet leadership. This further being female. prohibits women’s progress to the pinnacles of political representation in Australia.
[37] D Cave, ‘In a Proudly Diverse Australia, White People Still Run Almost Everything’, The New York Times, 10 April 2018
24 | EMILY’s List Australia Research recommendations: increasing female political participation
As Australian Labor nears 50% Leadership female representation at state and federal levels of parliament, progress for we must consider ways in which women is not women can continue to be one simple glass supported by the Party. ceiling to break At present, women make up 45% of the Federal Labor through. Rather, it Caucus, 37% in NSW, 44% in involves a glass Victoria, 48% in Queensland and 41% in Western Australia. labyrinth that Tasmania, the ACT and the needs to be Northern Territory have all surpassed the 50% target for navigated women Labor MPs. [45] throughout a We cannot become complacent woman’s once we reach this goal. We career. certainly cannot go backwards. Beth Houston, Chrissy Real and Elise Delpiano Leadership progress for women is not one simple glass ceiling to break through. Rather, it involves a glass labyrinth that needs to be navigated throughout a woman’s career. To achieve and maintain equal representation in our parliaments, women need support at all stages of their career, not just when they run for parliament.
The following recommendations were suggested by interview- ees as a means to increase and maintain female political representation at all levels.
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 25 1. Introducing a women are supported and mentored. This program could formal mentoring be implemented more broadly program for across the Party to ensure all Labor women are assigned a female Labor mentor once they are candidates preselected.
The majority of women A possible model is that of the interviewed emphasised the New Zealand Labour Party. importance of mentors in their Prior to the 2017 election, the leadership journey. Many Party launched a formal developed mentoring mentoring program run by a relationships informally with former female MP and the Party other women or were assigned President. These organisers someone to talk to from the asked all new candidates who Party. However, there is no they would like to be mentored formal mentoring structure by split on a gender basis and offered at a Party level for attempted to match candidates female candidates and as a with their preferred mentor. result, many mentoring Mentors were strictly former relationships fail to serve MPs because they have a their purpose. greater amount of time to commit to the program. The EMILY’s List already does some organisers stipulated that great work in this space and has mentors should meet or contact had a mentorship program for their mentees at least every two endorsed women since 1996. weeks to check in on them and However, the Party also has a provide support as needed. Former Victorian Premier responsibility to ensure that and EMILY’s List Australia founder Joan Kirner
26 | EMILY’s List Australia 2. Equipping ensure workers continue to their knowledge base and gain a stay at the forefront of their better understanding of women with a toolkit profession. The Party could also parliamentary process. for Cabinet contribute funding to further Australian MPs also identified professional development of parliamentary committees as an Definitive action needs to be MPs, either by way of funding important area in which female taken to ensure women are grants or scholarships. MPs can broaden and develop taken seriously when Cabinet their skillset. reshuffles take place. Capability audits Unfortunately, there are still a. Training and New MPs should be subject to a some parliamentary committees periodic capability audit by the in the Australian Parliament upskilling Party to identify their strengths that do not have a single woman and areas needed for sitting on them. How can the Funding for continuing improvement to ensure they are best consideration of each issue professional development aware how to make the most of be made when the voice of half their time in Parliament. of the Australian population is Women that have reached the absent? upper echelons of political The Party could consider leadership identified the steps creating a program to By denying female MPs the they took to ensure they are facilitate these audits and opportunity to sit on considered seriously for consider engaging former parliamentary committees, leadership positions within Ministers and Party Leaders to female MPs are denied the caucus. They primarily assist new MPs adjust to their opportunity to participate in emphasised the importance new role. The Party may also one of the key organs of of professional development consider creating a new Vice parliamentary democracy. They and expanding their areas of President role for training and are also denied the expertise. Some women from development to ensure that opportunity to expand their a non-finance background took MPs and candidates are better knowledge and understanding courses on financial matters, supported. of particular portfolio areas. such as understanding of budget balance sheets and corporate b. Relevant finance. Others completed Masters programs while they experience were on the backbench. Careful attention also needs Such training should be to be given in the allocation of encouraged by the Party. Many positions on select committees, parliaments already grant MPs as it provides an opportunity for a small portion of funding to MPs to gain a better undertake further understanding of subject areas professional development. For outside their own. Many New example, each NSW State MP is Zealand MPs highlighted the granted an annual skills importance of select development allowance of committees in broadening the $1,500 which can go towards experience of female MPs, their own professional especially for new MPs that development during each have a greater capacity to sit on financial year. a number of select committees. They emphasised The Party needs to assist this the importance of sitting on upskilling of women. Many other committees that were not professions mandate continuing necessarily within their area of professional development to expertise in order to broaden
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 27 3. Consider different A key suggestion was that during a reshuffle, the Leader In light of this success, the Party mechanisms for should require Cabinet should consider implementing selecting Cabinet hopefuls to approach their an affirmative action model office to outline what they for Cabinet positions. This is a positions would like to do in Cabinet and proposition that needs to be why they want to be there. This considered and discussed by all Despite Labor’s female could include demonstrating any levels of the Party to ensure it is representation at both a state prior experience relevant to a implemented in the best and federal level approaching particular portfolio or ideas for possible way to benefit fe- 50%, female MPs have future policy reform. male political representation. historically not been promoted A gradual phasing in of targets to Cabinet at the same rate as The Party should pride itself on – like was utilised in the initial their male counterparts. always having the best Cabinet affirmative action targets – could team to put forward and be considered for making such a At a Cabinet level, women make represent the Party and the change. up 33% of the Federal Labor people to the best extent Cabinet, 41% in NSW, 43% in possible. Having a more Victoria, 43% in South Australia, thorough Cabinet selection 29% in Western Australia and process will assist the Party in 42% in the ACT. At present, achieving this. Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have reached Such a change is also likely to or exceeded gender parity at benefit female MPs because will the Cabinet level. [46] also be given more consideration for Cabinet based It is not for a want of talent on their merit. One of the issues amongst female MPs that is most female interviewees raised preventing a higher level of was that the upper echelons of women from entering Cabinet, the Party remain almost purely but rather longstanding male due to longstanding power structural issues that need to be relationships that are generally overcome for the good of the not open to women. Having a Party. more thorough selection process in place for Cabinet a. Process of would provide a mechanism by Cabinet selection which female MPs are put their on merit case forward for better inclusion in Cabinet into the future. There are no formal rules determining which MPs make up b. Consider implementing Cabinet. [47] Throughout the affirmative action for interviews, interviewees Cabinet positions expressed a frustration with the way in which Cabinet positions Since the introduction of the are chosen at both a state and Party’s affirmative action rules federal level. Women who were and targets for female candi- interviewed felt that the dates in winnable seats, Labor process needed to be based has had great success in ensur- more on merit than personal ing caucus is a more representa- relationships. tive place. The message is clear – affirmative action works.
28 | EMILY’s List Australia 4. Consider the first-time, young female candidate to use a portion of state of electoral her campaign funds for funding laws childcare when she is out campaigning. [48] The Federal Though electoral funding laws Election Commission has differ greatly between approved this request, allowing jurisdictions, the provisions her babysitter to be paid from preventing female candidates funds in the same manner as any from using campaign funds to other member of her team. She hire some level of childcare is the first woman to have such [49] during campaign hours should funding approved. be considered. Female MPs with young children do not feel comfortable taking their children out onto the campaign trail, where they can be subject to abuse and the rough and tumble of politics. Female MPs Former Prime Minister Julia do not always have the Gillard presenting her famous possibility of leaving their ‘Misogyny Speech’ in the children with their partner or Australian federal parliament family. This is part of the addressing the sexist comments reason many female of the former Leader of the interviewees said they did not Opposition Tony Abbott run for office earlier.
This is not an isolated issue. Female interviewees in New Zealand also identified electoral funding as problematic, especially for women MPs with young families. Female MPs raised the low cap on partner travel as being restrictive, especially when they were new mothers. They discussed the difficulty of travelling to parliament from their constituency with a newborn without the support of their partner and expressed that they would like to see an increase in partner travel [45] See Annexure A. funding in this important stage [46] See Annexure A. for their family to ensure their [47] C Annesley (2015) ‘Rules of Ministerial Recruitment’, Politics & Gender, 11, baby could receive the care 636-637. they need. [48] M Solis, ‘Hillary Clinton backs first-time female candidate’s request to use campaign funds for child care’, Newsweek, 28 April 2018
Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship Report 2018 | 29 Annexure A
Women in Australian parliaments (as at 18 May 2018) Parliament Proportion of female MPs Proportion of female MPs (all parties) (%) (Labor) (%) Australia (federal) 31 46 New South Wales 27 37 Victoria 40 44 Queensland 32 48 South Australia 26 33 Western Australia 31 41 Tasmania 50 64 Northern Territory 48 50 Australian Capital Territory 56 58 New Zealand (national) 38 46
Women in Australian cabinets (as at 18 May 2018) Parliament Proportion of female MPs (Labor) (%) Australia (federal) 33 New South Wales 41 Victoria 43 Queensland 50 South Australia 43 Western Australia 29 Tasmania 50 Northern Territory 62.5 Australian Capital Territory 42 New Zealand (national) 37.5
(Source: Anna Hough, ‘Composition of Australian parliaments by party and gender: a quick guide’, Parlia- mentary Library, 18 May 2018 < https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/ Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1718/Quick_Guides/PartyGender>)
Annexure B
New Zealand Members of Parliament by gender and type Female Male Total (Female) (%) Electorate MPs 11 18 38 List MPs 10 7 58
30 | EMILY’s List Australia Glossary
Term Definition Affirmative action Action designed to provide increased employment opportunities for groups who have previously suffered from discrimination, especially women and minority racial groups. Cabinet The main executive organ of government, consisting of the leading parliamentary members of the governing party or coalition, each member having a special responsibility for a ministerial portfolio; a council advising a sovereign or chief executive. Caucus The parliamentary members of a political party or faction of a political party; a private meeting of the parliamentary members of a political party or faction to discuss policy or tactics. . Equality The state of being equal; correspondence in quality, degree, value, rank, ability, etc. Equity The quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality; that which is fair or just. Gender A socially constructed sexual identity, such as male, female, genderqueer, etc; distinguished from physiological determination as to one's sex. Minister A person appointed by (or under the authority of) the sovereign or executive head of a government to some high office of state, especially to that of head of an administrative department: Ministry The service, function, or office of a minister of state; the body formed by all the ministers of a government. Ministers form the Cabinet, see above. Parity Equality, as in amount, status, or character. Party A political party is an organised group of people, often with common views, who come together to contest elections and hold power in government. Portfolio The office or post of a minister of state or member of a cabinet; the public service department or departments for which a minister is responsible. Shadow Cabinet The group of members of the chief opposition party who speak on behalf of the party on major issues, each member having a special responsibility for the ministerial portfolio held by their counterpart in the party in government.
(Sources: Macquarie Australian Dictionary; Wikipedia)
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