Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard just expertly threw shade at Tony Abbott – and mentioned Mamamia in the same talk.
Ms Gillard took a stab at the Prime Minister for knighting Prince Philip in this year’s Australia Day honours debacle.
Asked by interviewer Verity Firth at an ‘In Conversation’ event at the University of Sydney’s Manning Bar, “Why did you fight to not knight Prince Philip?” Gillard quipped:
“I had this clearly eccentric idea that Australian honours should be for Australians.”
Fairfax reports, Gillard’s burn earned some laughs from the crowd – including from Deputy Opposition Leader, Tanya Plibersek – and the pair went on to discuss several hot topics in education, including education funding and improving access to quality education.
The former PM also encouraged young women to enter politics, despite her tumultuous turn as the nation’s first female leader.
One of the reasons I wanted to write (my autobiography) as quickly as I did, is that I was concerned that there would be women who looked at my experience as Prime Minister and said, ‘urgh, nope, not for me’,” Gillard said.
The former PM also mentioned Mamamia in her talk.
“There was some anecdotal stuff and I think Mamamia did a survey, (and there was) some stuff coming through to suggest that there were young women that had looked and said ‘no, I was interested in politics, now I’m not.”
Her message to those young women?
“The upside is far, far more than the downside. So if you’ve got a political interest as a young woman, then my advice for you is: go for it.”
Related content: Julia Gillard visits the Mamamia office.
Top Comments
love JULIA and she hits the nail on the head every time. Most productive in Government and great to see her still smiling after all the crap she had to put up with.
I don't like the argument that Australia shouldn't give recognition to foreigners. If a person has done enough for Australia to deserve recognition the name on their passport shouldn't matter in the slightest.