2013 is the year of the 1920s love-in. Since the release of Luhrmann’s film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, elements of the Jazz Age have infiltrated themes of countless parties, fashion, television and art. The opening of Edward Steichen & Art Deco Fashion at the National Gallery of Victoria either capitalises on this trend or…
Read more
While throughout the second half of the 20th century, the Australian government implemented many policies and legislative reforms that improved the position of women, the Global Gender Gap Index 2013 indicates that Australian women are still far from achieving equality with men. The Global Gender Gap Index determines gender equality by measuring the gaps between…
Read more
A pro-life Victorian doctor has been cited by fellow professionals as enacting a personal campaign contradicting the state’s abortion laws. Dr Mark Hobart has refused to refer patients for an abortion based on his religious beliefs, construing his involvement as ‘accomplice to murder’. Victoria is the only state in Australia to allow abortion in the…
Read more
In case you missed it: ACT becomes first Australian state/territory to pass same-sex marriage bill! Earlier today the ACT became a lot more hip and happening when it became the first Australian state/territory to pass a bill that, if it doesn’t get overturned by the high court, could legalise same sex marriage! Very impressed, Canberra,…
Read more
‘I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. I will not. And the government will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. Not now, not ever.’ Thus spoke ex-prime minister Julia Gillard last year. Whoops! Famous last words… Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s decision to appoint himself Minister for…
Read more
One of the people closest to me is Claire. We grew up together in a little interstate country town, and enjoyed our university years more or less together in a capital city. We shared houses, friends and family, and after I moved a long way from home, I was thrilled to find out she was…
Read more
This piece first appeared in Macquarie University’s student publication, Grapeshot. * Kevin Rudd has officially called the election, meaning the campaign trail is on and each political party has until September 7 to convince the voters. Despite the fact that one in four 18 – 25 year olds (the demographic that makes up the majority…
Read more
*Trigger warning: discussion of suicide* Being more of a bookworm, I admit that I’m a little slow on the uptake when it comes to primetime TV. Last week, I finally watched Rizzoli & Isles for the first time. I came away thoroughly entertained by the strong female leads taking down patriarchy, one dirty cop at…
Read more
This article first appeared in the University of Canberra Students’ Association magazine, CUrio. * I remember on every Election Day, many, many years ago, mum and dad would put our dog on the lead and drag my siblings and me down to the local school where we would be forced to sit around for half…
Read more
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
During any election time, we all become privy to the political world more than on a regular, day-to-day basis. Politicians from all sides hold basically nothing back in their desperate attempts to wrangle voters, fence-sitters, and special “demographics” with appealing policies, promises and one-liners. Unfortunately, we also experience many cringe-worthy, God-awful, make-it-stop things that come…
Read more
The federal election campaign is now officially under way, which means we’ve been plunged headlong into the black hole of empty slogans, tired clichés, insidious euphemisms, half truths, and complete lies. But, hey, at least we’re all in it together. There’s nothing like an impending election to lower the tone of political language and to…
Read more
Did you know that Friday 9 August was the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People? Pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1994, the day aims to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population, so this fortnight, I’m going to have a look out some of our own…
Read more
Gloria Steinem to receive Medal of Freedom The well-known US feminist is headed to the White House to hang with the Obamas and receive presidential seal of approval. The Medal of Freedom is a pretty big deal–pretty much the highest award a citizen can receive, delivered at the liking of the President. The win is…
Read more
