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Unlike Julia Gillard, Hillary Clinton will inherit an electorate incredibly alive to sexism Unlike Julia Gillard, Hillary Clinton will inherit an electorate incredibly alive to sexism
(about 1 hour later)
A few weeks ago I got a message from a university friend in Ohio.  He sent me a podcast interview with Julia Gillard in which she detailed the misogyny she experienced as Australia’s prime minister, and asked, “Is it really like that over there?” A few weeks ago I got a message from a university friend in Ohio. He sent me a podcast interview with Julia Gillard in which she detailed the misogyny she experienced as Australia’s prime minister, and asked, “Is it really like that over there?”
Yes.  Not always.  But, unfortunately, yes. Yes. Not always. But, unfortunately, yes.
As Americans contemplate their first female president, they are curious about how a 21st century, first-world, English-speaking nation handles its first female leader. Understandably, America is looking to Australia’s very recent experience with Gillard. Culturally, the two countries share much. Also, Gillard is good friends with Hillary Clinton and appears in her campaign material. Furthermore, Gillard is also often in the US, speaking publicly, and is able to give the American media direct insight into her time in office.As Americans contemplate their first female president, they are curious about how a 21st century, first-world, English-speaking nation handles its first female leader. Understandably, America is looking to Australia’s very recent experience with Gillard. Culturally, the two countries share much. Also, Gillard is good friends with Hillary Clinton and appears in her campaign material. Furthermore, Gillard is also often in the US, speaking publicly, and is able to give the American media direct insight into her time in office.
This trend has picked up pace since Clinton was endorsed at the Democratic national convention in July. Articles and podcasts and interviews with Gillard in the past few months draw similar conclusions: Australia treated its first female prime minister appallingly, and there’s every reason that Hillary Clinton can expect the same in America.This trend has picked up pace since Clinton was endorsed at the Democratic national convention in July. Articles and podcasts and interviews with Gillard in the past few months draw similar conclusions: Australia treated its first female prime minister appallingly, and there’s every reason that Hillary Clinton can expect the same in America.
Here are some of Australia’s greatest misogynistic hits on Gillard that are getting continually replayed in America:Here are some of Australia’s greatest misogynistic hits on Gillard that are getting continually replayed in America:
I wince at this reputation Australia is earning in America, but I know it is deserved.  I wince at this reputation Australia is earning in America, but I know it is deserved.
This analysis also makes me angry, because it risks portraying Gillard as a victim rather than as a leader who accomplished much in areas like education, disability services, health, and the environment. This analysis also makes me angry, because it risks portraying Gillard as a victim rather than as a leader who accomplished much in areas like education, disability services, health and the environment.
Gillard says she assumed the misogyny she experienced would gradually fall away as people adjusted to the first female prime minister. She calculated that she didn’t need to confront it because it would fade. Instead, the misogyny grew stronger, louder and uglier.   Gillard says she assumed the misogyny she experienced would gradually fall away as people adjusted to the first female prime minister. She calculated that she didn’t need to confront it because it would fade. Instead, the misogyny grew stronger, louder and uglier.
Like the proverbial frog in the pot of water, Gillard didn’t recognise the environment around her was growing hotter until it boiled over. Neither did most of us – as Gillard points out now, no one was seriously calling out the insinuations, insults and jibes, and as a result the pattern of sexist attacks grew bolder and were adopted and legitimised by her political opponents.  Like the proverbial frog in the pot of water, Gillard didn’t recognise the environment around her was growing hotter until it boiled over. Neither did most of us – as Gillard points out now, no one was seriously calling out the insinuations, insults and jibes, and as a result the pattern of sexist attacks grew bolder and were adopted and legitimised by her political opponents.
My university friend also asked if I, as first female premier of NSW, experienced the same kind of sexism that Gillard did. The answer is yes: it was different, but yes. My university friend also asked if I, as first female premier of New South Wales, experienced the same kind of sexism that Gillard did. The answer is yes: it was different, but yes.
For example, my Liberal opponent Barry O’Farrell often described me as “the Kim Kardashian of state politics”.  Apparently my shared gender and initials with Ms Kardashian meant the TV reality star and I were one and the same, never mind what policies or experience or qualifications I brought to the job of MP, minister and premier. (Mr O’Farrell also used parliament to compare Carmel Tebbutt to a whining puppy and to tell Linda Burney she hadn’t achieved her positions on merit, that she could play a hooker on a rugby league team, and to describe her as “casting her spells.”)   For example, my Liberal opponent Barry O’Farrell often described me as “the Kim Kardashian of state politics”. Apparently my shared gender and initials with Ms Kardashian meant the TV reality star and I were one and the same, never mind what policies or experience or qualifications I brought to the job of MP, minister and premier. (Mr O’Farrell also used parliament to compare Carmel Tebbutt to a whining puppy and to tell Linda Burney she hadn’t achieved her positions on merit, that she could play a hooker on a rugby league team, and to describe her as “casting her spells”.)
When I finally stood up to his Kardashian bullying, the media – who had said almost nothing about his constant belittlement – went into meltdown about how I handed it back to him.When I finally stood up to his Kardashian bullying, the media – who had said almost nothing about his constant belittlement – went into meltdown about how I handed it back to him.
But I tell you what, he never did it again.But I tell you what, he never did it again.
Frankly, Australia, that we didn’t stand up for our first female prime minister when the ugly strain of sexism reared its head: that’s on all of us. We deserve the reputation we are gaining in America.Frankly, Australia, that we didn’t stand up for our first female prime minister when the ugly strain of sexism reared its head: that’s on all of us. We deserve the reputation we are gaining in America.
Weirdly, though, Clinton might be less likely to face Gillard’s fate, because of Donald Trump.Weirdly, though, Clinton might be less likely to face Gillard’s fate, because of Donald Trump.
Trump’s public comments, tweets and recorded private conversations are so egregiously disrespecting of women that almost no one can overlook them. Forget the boiling frog: Trump is like an explosion, metal in a microwave, flames shooting out, fire alarms going off, radioactive material spreading, a searing smell and scorch marks everywhere.  Trump’s public comments, tweets and recorded private conversations are so egregiously disrespecting of women that almost no one can overlook them. Forget the boiling frog: Trump is like an explosion, metal in a microwave, flames shooting out, fire alarms going off, radioactive material spreading, a searing smell and scorch marks everywhere.
Women voters will be the reason the Republicans lose this presidential election, and may well also usher the Republicans out of majority control in the Senate too.Women voters will be the reason the Republicans lose this presidential election, and may well also usher the Republicans out of majority control in the Senate too.
Hillary Clinton will not have an easy time in office. America is acrimoniously divided, and she remains an unpopular figure. There’s plenty of reason to think the sexism Trump unleashed will continue amongst his supporters. Hillary Clinton will not have an easy time in office. America is acrimoniously divided and she remains an unpopular figure. There’s plenty of reason to think the sexism Trump unleashed will continue among his supporters.
But, unlike Gillard, Clinton will inherit an electorate incredibly alive to sexism. She will also have Republican opponents who will find it politically necessary between now and the congressional mid-terms to convince voters, women and men alike, that they aren’t all misogynistic thugs. In short, unlike Gillard, Clinton will be able to call out the sexism when it happens. Clinton’s allies – think Senator Elizabeth “nasty women vote” Warren - and the American media will be primed to do the same. But, unlike Gillard, Clinton will inherit an electorate incredibly alive to sexism. She will also have Republican opponents who will find it politically necessary between now and the congressional mid-terms to convince voters, women and men alike, that they aren’t all misogynistic thugs. In short, unlike Gillard, Clinton will be able to call out the sexism when it happens. Clinton’s allies – think Senator Elizabeth “nasty women vote” Warren – and the American media will be primed to do the same.
And the next time we have a female prime minister, Australia, so should we.And the next time we have a female prime minister, Australia, so should we.