“The obvious question is: do you think this is a disadvantage politically because people have kids and they have families and people identify with that?”
Gladys Berejiklian, 46, the newly elected leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party, responded to this question from a journalist at a press conference this morning beautifully — and certainly with more grace than the question deserved.
“Take me as you see me. [New deputy] Dominic Perrottet has made up for me, he has four kids,” she said. “I am someone who has always been myself. Not all of us can plan how our life turns out. I am a very happy person.”
“If you asked me 20 years ago would my life look like this? It probably wouldn’t be how it looks like. But I am grateful for the opportunities I have had,” Berejiklian continued.
“I also want to say again, not because I have to but because I want to, the closest people in my life are my family. I am not going to judge anybody on their personal circumstances. I am here to govern for everybody and I hope that people judge me on my merits and what I can do.”
This is a woman who has been in politics for 14 years. She has served the state as Minister of Transport, Treasurer and Deputy Leader. This afternoon, she will be sworn in as the Premier of New South Wales (NSW); the state's first female Liberal premier.
But at today's press conference - her first time facing the press as leader of the Liberal party - it took 15 minutes for the "most obvious question" to be raised. About her children, of course. Or lack of them.
Top Comments
Should not even be an issue whether she has children or not.
However she comes from the Young Liberal club and continuing with the course started by Baird, is destroying Sydney with poorly planned development and infrastructure.
What, what and what?? Are you kidding? What on earth does it matter if she has children or not? Good grief! Am I in the Dark Ages again. It's how well she can perform at her job not whether she has children. Seriously, if this was a man, would you be asking the same question?