in brief: record number of women in cabinet
Image via The Independent
Last week’s successful leadership spill was bad news for Julia Gillard. For the rest of the women in the Labor party though, there is something worth celebrating.
Yesterday Kevin Rudd placed a record number of women in Cabinet (there are now six female politicians instead of four). The women ministers include newcomers Jacinta Collins as Minister of Mental Health and Ageing, Tasmanian MP Julie Collins as Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Status of Women and Catherine King as Minister for Regional Australia.
The Prime Minister was quick to deny that the increase was an attempt to stem outrage at Julia Gillard’s demise.
However, some have been quick to point out that while this could be seen as a win for feminists, over 55 years of experience has been lost from cabinet due to the resignation of experienced ministers.
And while there has been an increase in the number of women, men still hold the top jobs. The notable exception, of course, is Penny Wong – who has been promoted to leader of the Senate.
