Gender Politics Navigating Political Leadership in Australia

Gender is a powerful force that shapes Australia’s political leadership. Gender impacts the politics, government, and policies of our nation. It influences the public lives of all political leaders. It affects how they interact with political institutions and cultures, with each other, and how they are treated by the media. It can also shape who we see as strong and capable leaders. Yet, there is a lack of diversity in leadership positions across the political system and accusations of bullying and a toxic culture in our political parties are rife. So what impact does this have upon how Australia is governed and what might be done about it? From the debates on gender quotas to the ‘bonk ban,’ from Julie Bishop’s failed leadership bid to Scott Morrison’s cultivated ‘daggy dad’ persona, from the treatment and legacy of Australia’s first female prime minister to the machinations of our political parties and parliament, this book explores the subtle and overt operation of gender politics in Australia. Gender Politics is a provocative and urgent collection that re-examines the way we navigate power and leadership in Australian politics.

Katrina Lee-Koo is an Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations in the School of Social Sciences at Monash University. She researches women’s leadership and political participation in politics, as well as global peace and security. She is recently the co-editor of Young Women and Leadership which looks at young women’s leadership in Asia and the Pacific. Zareh Ghazarian is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations in the School of Social Sciences at Monash University. He is a leading commentator on national politics and co-author of Australian Politics for Dummies (2010). His most recent book is The Making of a Party System: Minor Parties in the Australian Senate (2015).