GELLIBRAND MP Nicola Roxon has warned “a dangerous underbelly” of sexism is derailing improvements for women in Australian society.
Ms Roxon, 46, is retiring from the safest Labor seat in the country at this year’s election to spend more time with her daughter Rebecca and husband Michael.
Delivering her farewell speech to Parliament ahead of the tumultuous leadership change, with Kevin Rudd returned as Prime Minister, Ms Roxon warned much work remains for women to gain equality within politics and the community. “We have a capable, tough, smart, determined woman [Julia Gillard] as our PM, yet she has been subjected to the most crass, silly, petty, sexist and just plain rude behaviour for years,” she said.
“These latest events show us there is a dangerous underbelly still compromising women in Australia, and the feminist cause is as urgent as before.”
Ms Roxon warned that people must understand how corrosive sexism is and acknowledge that it sets out to sideline the real issues.
Her valedictory speech reflected upon her 15 years in Parliament, including her stint as Australia’s first female Attorney General.
Ms Roxon said she was proud of introducing the world’s first plain packaging laws and progress in her health portfolio such as regional cancer centres and national performance measures.
She gave thanks to family, friends, staff and husband Michael and also thanked Gellibrand voters for “allowing me the honour to represent them five times”.
“I’ve loved working with the community and hope I’ve lived up to your expectations.”
She acknowledged her speech came at a hard time for Labor, with vicious infighting overshadowing the party’s message.
“Even for true Labor believers there are times when it can feel frustrating, or hard work, to come out to support a cause we all believe in deeply, for a party we all love deeply.”
Tim Watts is the Labor candidate to contest the Gellibrand seat.
