Each year The Weekly pays tribute to our most impressive women, as nominated by our readers. At the top of their field, these powerful and admired Australian women share their words of wisdom, fascinating insights and secrets for success in the October issue of the magazine.
Here three of our Women of Influence tell us what they would change if they were given the nation’s top job.
Related: Our advice for Julia Gillard
Julie Bishop – Deputy leader of the federal opposition
As the first female deputy of the Liberal Party, Julie is an influential figure on the federal Opposition’s frontbench, but what be the first thing she’d change if she was running the country?
“I would introduce a national education scheme based on providing scholarships for Australian students to undertake part of their studies at an educational institution in our region.
“The experience would not only enrich the lives of the students, but our nation would reap long-term benefits from a deeper engagement with the countries through young Australians gaining a better understanding and appreciation of different cultures, politics and interests in our region.”
Dr Kerryn Phelps – GP and The Weekly’s medical practitioner
Since being appointed the first female president of the Australian Medical Association, Kerryn has been a tireless campaigner for better medical care, and is just as determined in her activism in the fight for same-sex marriage. If she was in charge of the country, Kerryn admits she’d have a huge agenda.
“I would start by changing the Marriage act to completely eliminate the last piece of discriminatory federal legislation.
“Change the tax laws to make domestic assistance for working families a tax-deductible expense.
“Stop the bickering between the states and commonwealth over healthcare funding,
“And start a publicly funded children’s dental health scheme.”
Ann Peacock – General manager, public relations, Crown Limited
With a contact book that has the city covered and a speed dial to most of Melbourne’s powerbrokers, the PR executive and daughter of Andrew Peacock and Lady Susan Renouf is one of the most powerful women in Victoria. But how would Ann Peacock wield her power if she was running the country?
“I am horrified at the number of people in Australia living below the poverty line. The idea that families go without would be the top of my list to address.
“Offering greater access to healthcare, education and industry-specific training is so important to put people back in control of their own future.”
Read more of this story in the October issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.
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