Not Now, Not Ever

Ten years after Prime Minister Julia Gillard's iconic misogyny speech in parliament, it's time to reflect on the speech itself and on the cultural ramifications of and connections to misogyny that brought about such an important moment in Australian political history. With fascinating contributions from Jess Hill, historian Mary Beard and political analyst Katharine Murphy, as well as recollections about the speech's impact on Australian society from influential voices like Cate Blanchett and Brittany Higgins, this is a barn-burning piece of Australian feminist history in the making.

Matilda, Better Read Than Dead

With fierce, cool-headed eloquence, Julia Gillard said what so many women had longed to say in public but never had the chance. Non fiction pick of the week Ten years on from her blistering misogyny speech in which she called out Tony Abbott for his hypocrisy and sexism, these essays revisit that galvanising moment, analyse what has changed and what is yet to be achieved. Writing as a rueful “creature of the Canberra cloisters”, Katharine Murphy recalls how “we took her stoicism for granted” and so discounted the significance of her speech, such was the patriarchal arena of the press gallery. When Jess Hill traces the connection between the “calculated deployment of sexism against a prime minister” and actual violence against women, she goes to the very heart of the problem – the fragility of traditional masculinity. Of which, one might say, Abbott’s swaggering machismo was a perfect example.

Fiona Capp, The Sydney Morning Herald

Ten years on from Julia Gillard’s “misogyny speech”, Not Now, Not Ever recalls that threshold moment in Australia when we were shown it was possible to call out sexism and misogyny and be heard. Each essay offers reflection and good reasons to keep speaking up.

Pip Williams, Best reads of the Year