Before I start I just want to clarify that the Calvary Hospital in Canberra is a public hospital. More to the point, it is funded by public money. You see, due to some wonderful decision making by the Commonwealth Government, the construction and operation of the only public hospital on Canberra’s north-side (if you are not…
Read more
As I’m sure many of you are aware by now, the Labor government has proposed a tobacco excise – one that will raise the price of tobacco by 12.5% each year for four years. The backlash to this has been full of vitriol (my personal favourite is the one published here that compares the current…
Read more
A life-sized Barbie Dreamhouse is opening in Europe, in what newspaper articles call a feminist nightmare. And they are not the only ones a bit perturbed by the idea, with more than 1700 supporters joining the ‘Occupy Barbie Dreamhouse’ facebook page since it was started in March. When I agreed to write this article, I…
Read more
Last year my friend linked me to an absolutely brilliant article written by Patrick Stokes, a Lecturer in Philosophy at Deakin University, and I have not been able to stop thinking about it since. Because this man said everything that I had always thought, but had never before been able to put into words: You…
Read more
Very few things get talked about more than ‘self-esteem’, or rather, the lack thereof. And after many news articles and prime-time television special reports, we are all very aware of the fact that when it comes to their looks, the majority of women (and men, I might add) are not feeling all that impressed…
Read more
When I was younger I was unashamedly optimistic. I heard phrases such as ‘you can be anything you want to be’ and ate them right up, certain that this was how the world worked. My parents encouraged me wholeheartedly, telling me every day that I was going to be something. And I believed them. And…
Read more
This is an article that I have been wanting to write for a long time, but have never known how to go about it. It was originally sparked by the fat acceptance movement – a movement designed to encourage acceptance of ALL body shapes. It is, for obvious reasons, a movement that I am strongly…
Read more
Pope Francis has come out in support of his predecessor’s view (surprise, surprise) about the Leadership Conference of Women Religious – namely, that he is not all that impressed with them, and will pick up where Pope Benedict left off and continue to try to reform them. What exactly is he trying to reform them…
Read more
Helen Mirren made quite the impact at the 2013 Empire Awards when, during her acceptance speech, she spoke up about the sexism that is a trademark of the film industry: ‘I don’t want to unduly pick on Sam Mendes, but when he spoke about his inspirations earlier this evening, I’m afraid not a single one…
Read more
On Wednesday 20 March, the owner of the popular facebook page ‘I fucking love science’ (an excellent page – check it out!) revealed their true identity over Twitter — and it turns out her name is Elise Andrews … and she’s a woman! [Cue gasps of surprise] And there certainly must have been gasps of…
Read more
Last week I was unlucky enough to come across an article in the Daily Telegraph entitled ‘More women are getting drunk on Sydney streets than ever before’. It was the usual article about women and sexual assault, i.e. how women can avoid getting assaulted if they simply stop being so darn silly and reckless…
Read more
Age columnist Martin McKenzie-Murray was quite shocked after writing an article about Canberra, only to find himself publicly and personally attacked by the people of the nation’s capital. Was their reaction over the top? Probably. Was it justifiable? I argue yes. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Because McKenzie’s article isn’t a one-off. It…
Read more
Another potential blow for women’s rights was announced last week with Family First MP Robert Brokenshire set to introduce a bill on foetal homicide to the South Australia Parliament, with hopes of making the legislation national. Brokenshire wishes to see those who cause the death of a foetus through assault or negligent driving charged with…
Read more
**Trigger warning: Discussion of eating disorders** The Butterfly Report is the first report to look closely into the economic and social impact of eating disorders (ED) in Australia. Using the available studies that have been conducted, as well as their own consultation survey for those with a lived experience, they were able to give, for…
Read more
