Enough is Enough

It is hard to imagine a more perfect time to publish a book by a former Member of Parliament about her time in politics than right now, when the frustrations of women about the culture of Australian politics have reached fever pitch and the spotlight is firmly on the government boys' club.  

With Sex, Lies and Question Time (2021), Kate Ellis has written a startling account of her time in Parliament, from her election at age 27 in 2004 to her departure in 2019. More than a memoir, this book features interviews with women of all political persuasions including Julia Gillard, Penny Wong, Tanya Plibersek, Sarah Hanson-Young, Pauline Hanson, Sussan Ley, Julie Bishop and Linda Burney. The commonalities that emerge paint a picture of a toxic workplace in which entitled men govern for themselves and women are sidelined, gaslighted, and worse.

Sexual innuendo and gossip are rife, as are critiques of women's bodies, clothes, appearance. Ellis' first introduction to the culture occurred shortly after her election when she was asked how many people she had to sleep with to get her job. Over her 15 years in Parliament she was intensely scrutinised and had many rumours spread about her, in an effort to undermine her.

As a young woman who rose to the Ministry in the Rudd government after only three years in Parliament, Ellis faced a lot of criticism even from within her party. But Ellis was never a light-weight. She is intelligent, strategic and was able to get things done.  I had the pleasure of meeting Ellis several times when she was the Minister for Early Childhood Education. Of all the Ministers I engaged with in this portfolio, Ellis had the most genuine interest and understanding of the importance of the early years and a commitment to ensuring quality and universal access. 

Sex, Lies and Question Time is compulsively readable - it is frank, honest and clear. Ellis has structured the chapters thematically - weaponising sexual gossip, slut shaming, the politics of motherhood - and the cumulative effect of reading is one of disappointment and rage. The chapter on the 'sisterhood' makes it clear that not all women are agreed on the changes needed to improve the culture - party-solidarity and threats from within also restrict women from speaking out. Fortunately, Ellis includes a chapter on why it's worth it - talking about public service and the transformative effect of progressive government policy decisions. Here she makes a convincing case for women entering politics.

One of the interesting segments is on whether women in Parliament should have spoken out louder and earlier against sexism, particularly during the Gillard years when our Prime Minister faced relentless criticism, which culminated in her now-legendary misogyny speech. The consensus, in hindsight, is that more should have been done by people in Parliament, the media and the broader public to speak out against this appalling behaviour.

Ellis finished her book prior to the current culture crisis facing Parliament and she did not know all the allegations that would surface in the lead up to publication. Reading this book mere weeks after the March for Justice - in the shadow of Brittney Higgins' rape allegations, the accusations against Christian Porter, the revolting desk incident, the Andrew Laming up-skirting and more - only serves to fuel the compelling need for change.

 

Women shouldn't have to put up with this crap anywhere.  Our Parliamentarians needs to be standard bearers, legislating to protect against sexual harassment and demanding better workplaces for all people. This disgraceful behaviour needs to be called out and swiftly dealt with. But this is not simply a 'woman's issue' - it is a matter for everyone. As Ellis writes in her introduction, 'A better parliament would mean a better Australia. That's why it should matter to all of us.'