Julia Banks' exit puts the spotlight on political 'boys club'
Federal MP Julia Banks denounced her party yesterday and moved to the crossbench, leaving the Government two votes shy of a majority.
But it also signalled a tidal shift in her party and, potentially, in Australian politics.
As reported on the ABC this morning, Ms Banks' exit and her reasons for doing so have renewed debate about the treatment of women in Parliament.
While some, such as Kelly O'Dwyer deny their is any ill-treatment of women in Parliament (the same minister who denied the need for a royal commission into banking and finance), others, such as Labor's Emma Husar, are saying that the treatment of women in Parliament was "years behind" the corporate sector.
This sentiment was only enforced with the sexist slurs slung in the chamber.
"I think the Parliament does have a problem and I don't think it's an ALP problem, I don't think it's a Liberal problem or a Green problem," said Ms Husar.
"It's a men problem."
"To me, I see it very much as a boys' club," said crossbench MP Rebekha Sharkie, referring to the issues in the Liberal Party.
"Certainly in my time working in the Liberal Party several years ago, it was some of the language, some of the behaviours, and really a cultural aspect to it that made me leave working for the Liberal Party."
Ms Husar said that Ms Banks' experience is not isolated, herslef blaming the "white, stale, pale brigade" for trying to end her political career.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale was suspended from the chamber on Tuesday after refusing to withdraw his comments calling Liberal senator Barry O'Sullivan a "pig", because of remarks he made about Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
"If we cannot debate and act civilly in this chamber, that is the most representative chamber in this country, that is the prime legislative chamber of this Parliament, then how can we expect people outside the chamber to debate and argue and disagree respectfully?" said Senate President Scott Ryan.
Senator Di Natale said he wanted to take a stand to stop a pattern of behaviour in the Upper House.
"If we are going to encourage more women to our national Parliament, then we have to set a standard for them that their workplace is a safe one," he said.
"It is completely unacceptable that a woman would need to endure the sort of sexist filth that is being levelled at some of my parliamentary colleagues on a nearly daily basis."
Do you think women are misreated in Parliament? Would you like to see more women in politics?
Quote MICK…”what I do support is our country as a whole and a fair distribution of the national wealth, something the well off find abhorent.”
You seem to be ignoring the fact that we have a “fair distribution of wealth” in this country namely.. welfare. Yes, most certainly..all citizens have a right to the necessities of life such as food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and education.
If we really want to address poverty..we should direct resources toward people who need it most..Australia does that..in comparison with 200 nations Australia undoubtedly targets those in need. We have a world class social safety net.
Australians are very lucky..let us not look a gift horse in the mouth. Our pension has both an income test and an assets test. Unemployment benefits are set at the same level regardless of how much you were earning when you lost your job. We stopped paying the Baby Bonus to millionaires.
Despite all the above..that doesn’t mean we can’t improve. However..when it comes to debating.. it helps to come armed with the facts.
Glad I'm a bad, bad boy, sure as hell don't want to be stuck with one of these
hmm, looks a lot like lottie, hahaha
We need a Margaret Thatcher in our parliament
Now there was a lady with brains and balls . She'd whip this pathetic bunch of Liberal wusses into shape in no time.
Not to mention putting little Billy Shorten in his place