élections

Liberal MP Teresa Gambaro learnt what it meant to have guts long before she went into politics. Her parents, who immigrated to Australia from Italy after World War II, ran a small fish store in Petrie Terrace, an inner-city suburb of Brisbane. Far from the seafood industry, Ms Gambaro is now scaling the political ladder – but the fight to retain the seat of Brisbane, one of the most marginal electorates in the country, will definitely require some guts.

The key message conveyed in Kelly O’Dwyer’s maiden speech in parliament was that of aspiration.

In February 2010, the Federal Member for Higgins *Vic) cited the story of her grandparents who established a small business and, through their aspirations, created opportunities for their family that carried down through the generations and informed her politics.

We invite you to read the full article published August 21, 2013 

Archaic and chauvinistic practices are being used to prevent Swazi women from taking part in the upcoming primary elections, despite the country having a constitution that guarantees their rights, says political analyst Dr. Sikelela Dlamini.

“The discrimination [against] women by preventing them from participating in politics is a consequence of deeply-rooted notions of male dominance and the subordination of women,” Dlamini told IPS.

Some 473 women are running along with 2,333 male candidates in the municipal elections due to be held on August 27 in the Kingdom, according to Secretary General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women Asma Khader.

She told Petra today that 68 women candidates have already won by acclamation, adding that eight women are in the race for mayor along with approximately 700 male candidates.

We invite you to read the full article published August 20, 2013

“There’s something sexist about saying that the candidates are two women. Has anyone ever remarked on it when the candidates are two men?” former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet complained about comparisons between herself and her main rival in the presidential elections, rightwing candidate Evelyn Matthei.

The Nov. 17 elections are the first electoral race in Latin America in which the two main presidential candidates are women.

Julia Gillard may be out and 'sexygate' may be rumbling on, but let's not forget there are incredible female politicians in Australia

Tony Abbott was criticised last week for referring to Liberal candidate Fiona Scott's "sex appeal", but he's back at it. This morning he praised Scott's answer to a question about his economic plan with the comment: "obviously from that answer she ain't just a pretty face."

Next up in our Women in Politics series, is Senator Bridget McKenzie. Tall and blonde, Ms McKenzie gained unwanted media attention last year when fellow National Party Senator Barnaby Joyce referred to her in the Senate as “a flash bit of kit.”

FROM the age of five, an eager Bridget McKenzie would wake up at 3 am and accompany her father as he delivered milk to darkened houses in northern Victoria.

Next up in our Women in Politics series is high profile Greens Senator for South Australia, Sarah Hanson-Young. The Liberal Party have let it be known that the 31 year old Senator is in for the fight of her political life at the next Federal Election on September 7.