By Nicole Bagatsing
Politicians— genuine public servants or cynical individuals? Politicians, they’re imperfect, just like any human being. Whether voters love or hate her, she is the only woman who gets to hold the hat of having been an Australian Prime Minister.
Praise the Prime Minister for their achievements and hold them accountable where necessary.
I don’t agree with everything Julia Gillard has done during her time as PM. I do, however, respect her as she is important in paving the way for women in politics. I’ve read her books and, like many others interested in politics, have listened to her famous misogyny speech.
I disagreed with her initial vote against gay marriage. Glad she eventually recalibrated her stance on this in 2015. Her U-turn on no carbon tax promise could have been handled better. On a positive note, I commend her establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Lucky us, Australian citizens get to access this.
I’ve come across several fellow migrants who have uprooted their lives to Australia to access the NDIS for their family members to live more comfortably. The Philippines has yet to establish any comparable government service, and we have Julia to thank for that.
I attended my first Emily’s List event. Emily’s List is a political network for progressive Labor Party women.
After the acknowledgment of country, sponsor speeches, and organiser welcomes, Julia Gillard was introduced. She was further up on the second floor balcony, speaking about the results of the Julia Gillard internship.
The millennial in me was taking ‘Be real style’ selfies for memorabilia. It’s not every day that I get to be with a former Australian Prime Minister, let alone the only female one at that.
Julia stepped down from the balcony and got onto the first floor. Everyone rushed for photos and signatures. I’ve brought with me my recently purchased Not Now Not Ever book. Reading it gave me a fresh perspective on misogyny in Australian politics.
Then I finally got closer to her. It was my turn.
I introduced myself as a civic leader from the Philippines. I let her know that her former electorate area Lalor is where my family migrated to when we first came to Australia.
Julia: ‘There you go from the West!’
I pulled out my Not Now Not Ever book and Sharpie, then asked her to sign.
Julia signs ‘FOR NICOLE’
I told her I participated in Youth Parliament this year and her misogyny speech was part of the speeches we watched for training.
Julia: ‘That’s fantastic!’
I got a photo with her. I felt accomplished. I’ve crossed out a task on my career bucket list from when I was 16. I wrote down – meet an Australian Prime Minister (current or former is fine). The 16-year-old me would be delighted because here I am, a migrant woman of colour speaking to Australia’s only ever female prime minister.
READ: Filipino Nicole Yaneza-Bagatsing becomes Youth Parliamentarian in Victoria
