Opening the newspapers and reading about myself over the past few weeks has been both humorous and challenging.
I’ve never considered my image to be a feature that defines me. Indeed, it doesn’t define my political aspirations, my credentials, my morals, my interests nor my value as a woman.
I’ve always felt that the content of my character is the most important feature that defines me – and that I should strive to be good.
However, according to some media and online trolls, my image is what solely measures my intellectual ability and validity for participation in the Australian political spectrum.
A call for more women in Australian politics on Q and A. Post continues after video.
The public asks questions about why I am the way that I am – because I have a private life, aside from politics, one that isn’t solely political. But why should we?
Why is this an issue? Why should a woman (or a man for that matter) have to fit into a certain stereotype to be legitimate in politics?
I am not a parliamentarian – and I don’t intend to be. However, that shouldn’t matter.
I believe that the parliament should reflect society, evenly and fairly.
I believe that women should be proud of their bodies and not feel shame in embracing their curves, femininity and sexuality. For my whole adult life, I have lived in this way. Whether it was for photo-shoots or just a night out on the town with my girlfriends – this has always been my private life. We live in such a free society that young women are at liberty to wear whatever they like – and I am very grateful for that.
Top Comments
It is not enough to tell people you are a maverick/activist/person of conviction, you need to demonstrate it. Give an example, it's resume writing 101, show how you embody the traits you claim to have instead of just insisting you have them. Prove you follow through your rhetoric with action instead of dismissing people as "haters" for not automatically taking you at your word that you are the hero of the narrative you claim to be. For what its worth, your focus on rhetoric, avoidance of specific facts, and mistaken belief that talking about yourself is somehow changing the world, has convinced me that you are indeed a career "political activist".
No matter how enlightened you are, I can assure you those grinning men don't see you the same way.