Six of Australia’s most admired women give their advice for Prime Minister Julia Gillard and reveal their stance on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s policies on women’s issues.
Carrie Bickmore, 31
Carrie is a co-host of The Project on Network Ten. She lost her husband Greg to cancer in 2010 and has a son, Oliver.
Advice for Julia Gillard: “I wouldn’t profess to know how hard it would be run the country, so I am not sure I should be giving any advice. If I had to say anything, I would say to Julia to try and stay as positive as possible and to stand by the things she believes in — not easy in the world of politics.”
Tony Abbott’s women’s policies: “It’s hard to know what the true views of our leaders are when they so often just follow the party line, but it would be fair to say that Tony Abbott needs to do a bit of work to get the girls back on side.”
Kirstie Clements, 50
The former editor of Vogue Australia started working at the magazine 25 years ago as a receptionist. After losing her job in May, Kirstie is now working on a book about her time in magazines.
Advice for Julia Gillard: “As far as her style is concerned, as long as she looks professional and conservative, then the style of her dress or jacket is irrelevant. She’s the prime minister — it’s not for us to dress her like a doll. I witnessed her stand up to a group of male News Limited editors who were anti-Gillard and she was incredibly impressive. She more than held her own.”
Tony Abbott’s women’s policies: “One of my core beliefs is in a woman’s right to choose [an abortion]. Abbott has an entirely opposing view. I can’t move past this. His ideas about chastity and him being threatened by homosexuality are so out of touch with current society, it’s astounding. What does this have to do with politics?”
Jana Wendt, 56
Jana was a television presenter and reporter on the Nine Network’s 60 Minutes and Sunday, and Dateline on SBS. She now writes books and is working on her first novel.
Advice for Julia Gillard: “I try not to offer prime ministers advice! In the case of Julia Gillard, she seems to have received enough advice already — most of it bad.”
Tony Abbott’s women’s policies: “Tony Abbott’s paid parental leave scheme is, on the face of it, extremely generous — six months leave for the stay-at-home parent on the mother’s full wage. The businesses that will be required to pay for it might say it’s a little too generous.”
Leila McKinnon, 39
Leila is co-host of Weekend Today on the Nine Network and will help co-host the network’s Olympic coverage in London next month. She is pregnant with her first child.
Advice for Julia Gillard: “Oh, dear. I have to say I admire her fortitude and persistence, but what a precarious position. I don’t think anyone could advise anybody out of that mess.”
Tony Abbott’s women’s policies: “I found his description of a woman’s virginity as a “gift” very odd. When it comes to policy, I am pro-choice, but I think he’s right in saying he would like to see fewer abortions. I do question whether the possible use of RU486 [the medical abortion pill] was properly investigated.”
Kate Waterhouse, 28
Kate is a member of the Waterhouse racing dynasty and style and fashion editor at The Sun-Herald. She married her long-time partner, former NRL footballer Luke Ricketson, in June.
Advice for Julia Gillard: “If anything, I think she listens to bad advice, so I would advise her to stand on her own two feet and let the public see the strong, true leader she can be for the most fortunate country in the world.”
Tony Abbott’s women’s policies: “I think Tony Abbott is old-fashioned in his views. To publicly say that he urges women to save their virginity for marriage disconnects him from today’s youth.”
Bianca Spender, 35
Bianca is a fashion designer and the daughter of designer Carla Zampatti and barrister and former politician John Spender.
Advice for Julia Gillard: After having watched my father, I recognise politics is extremely complicated and being prime minister is a difficult role.
Tony Abbott’s policies: I support the government’s position on the environment — it is important for our future.
Read more of this story in the July issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.
Video: Behind-the-scenes on the Australian Women’s Weekly’s shoot with Julia Gillard
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