By MATT NICHOLLS
THE treatment of Julia Gillard has deterred women from running in politics, according to a former local candidate.
More political hopefuls than ever before will contest this year’s federal election, but the gap has widened between men and women.
For the second federal election in a row, there is not one woman running in the seat of Lyne.
In fact, there has been only been one woman to stand for the seat of Lyne since 2008.
That was Greens hopeful Susie Russell, who this week told the Port Macquarie Independent that she wasn’t surprised by the lack of women putting their hands up for politics.
“You only have to look at how Julia Gillard was treated to see that women are discouraged from running,” Ms Russell said.
“Sadly, women are judged by what they look like and what they are wearing and not what they are saying.
“It can be very difficult when a lot of politics is deemed a suit and tie affair.”
A record 1717 candidates are running for the House of Representatives or senate at this year’s election, up a significant 43 per cent on the 1198 who ran in 2010.
At the last election, men made up 70 per cent of the candidates across the nation.
This year it will be 73 per cent, according to figures obtained from the Australian Electoral Commission.
This comes on the back of Australia’s first female Prime Minister – a milestone that many pundits predicted would help encourage women to run for government.
Port Macquarie communications consultant and former political lobbyist Michelle Newman said she hoped the longer term trend would see more women throwing their hats into the ring.
“The under-representation of women in politics at all levels of government is disappointing,” Mrs Newman said.
“There is much debate around the unequal treatment and scrutiny of female politicians by the media, the public and in our nation’s parliaments.
“I would like to see the discussion move on to how we might encourage more women to contribute to a richer and more representative political landscape.
“How can we inspire more young females to consider a career in politics; equally, how can we make political life more appealing to women?”
Have your say: visit our Facebook page and comment, or send a letter to the editor at newsdesk@portmacquarieindependent.com.au
