There is no denying that politics is tough, as someone who has served in political life for over 30 years I have faced my fair share of challenges and there have been times where I even considered calling it quits. But we as politicians aren’t the exception to the rule. Everyone faces challenges, some much more than others and that is why I do what I do.
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As the Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly, or the ‘Bear Pit’ as it is known, there is no doubt I cop criticism and occasional hurtful comments. It’s all as part of the theatre of Parliament and Question Time. We are after all passionate representatives for our regions and we, on occasion, disagree with each other. We even disagree with our own side at times! In fact, your biggest critics are quite often on your own team.
On the South Coast we have dedicated liberal branch members who engage in debate and are generally the first to contact their elected representatives and express their concerns over a particular government policy. They are just as passionate about the party and the region as their elected officials and use their positions as local branch members to have their say. Sometimes, as elected members, this doesn’t go our way.
This isn’t bullying, this is democracy.
Throughout my 30 years in public life I have not experienced bullying from colleagues or my fellow party members.
At my advanced age, perhaps they wouldn’t dare!
However I have always been quick to call out a bully and I have never shied away from calling for better ways to assist those who deal with the real and damaging effects of bullying.
It is disappointing that anyone could experience bullying.
As elected officials we should be doing everything we can to halt those who believe they can bully their way to a position or bully someone out of one.
A way to do that is to remain in our positions.
I for one do not, and will not stand for bullying, and I would not allow a bully to push me out of my position. My role as Speaker, as the Member for South Coast, as a mother and grandmother is to call out any bully and say stop!
This year marks one hundred years since the passing of legislation, the Women’s Legal Status Act 1918¸ which first allowed women to stand for election as political candidates and for the Bar as barristers.
NSW’s first female parliamentarian Millicent Preston Stanley and first female barrister to practise Sibyl Morrison faced enormous challenges to fulfil their vocations, yet did not give up.
Millicent for two years stood as the only woman in a chamber with more than 90 other male representatives. Labelled as a “she-devil” and a “battle-axe” she rose to the challenge determined to instigate change, not shy away from it.
One hundred years later trailblazers such as Millicent and Sibyl serve as timely reminders of the resilience of women and the contribution they can make if determined to stay in the fray.
