Dear Julia,
As with other significant events in history,
I remember precisely where I was the day you became Prime Minister. Standing in
the lunchroom of my CBD law firm, I was glued to the TV screen as the
sensational story of the Labor leadership unfolded before me. As the events of
the day continued to transpire many of my colleagues came and went, but I
couldn’t drag myself away. That I was witnessing a change of leadership in a
Prime Minister’s first term seemed somewhat surreal. But that the new Prime
Minister was a woman was almost unbelievable. Until that day, the prospect of a
woman attaining our country’s highest office seemed a long way off, possibly
decades away. But there you were, about to become Australia’s first female Prime
Minister.
Fast-forward three years three days and here
I am again, watching as another change in the Labor leadership unfolds. And
there you are again, about to become Australia’s first former female Prime
Minister.
Although we’ve never met, I suspect we have a
fair bit in common. I too have a law degree and have worked as a solicitor
(although for me law was a second career). Like you, I am a passionate believer
in the power of education to transform young people’s lives (which is why I
left my job as a solicitor and returned to high school teaching in July last
year). And I’m also pretty driven. While you were running the country, I
combined working full-time with running for a seat in the Queensland state
election, serving on the state and national management committees of my party,
and finishing a Masters degree in law. In that time I also moved house (I
believe you did too) and changed workplaces as a result of workplace bullying.
Like too many women, I’ve been the subject of
workplace bullying more than once in my working life. The first time I
experienced it I was in my early 20’s. To the detriment of my health and
wellbeing, I put up with my male manager’s bad behaviour for nearly a year.
When I eventually left I was physically and emotionally exhausted and, despite
all advice to the contrary, couldn’t shake the belief that I was somehow
responsible. The second time around, I was nearly 20 years older and had the
benefit of a law degree. However, the situation was no less stressful and again
resulted in me having to leave my employment.
Which brings me to the point of my letter: For the past three years, you’ve been subjected to
the equivalent of workplace bullying - ongoing, public bullying. But unlike me,
for you changing jobs just wasn’t an option and so you simply carried on. How
you managed to withstand this additional, unrelenting pressure with dignity and
composure is beyond me. And for that, you will always have my respect and
admiration, regardless of my views on your political or policy decisions.
Because of you, my two young adult daughters think a female Prime Minister is
the new normal. I sincerely hope that the way you were treated by many whilst
you held this office is not.
Being first was always going to be hard but
someone had to do it. No matter how history judges your Prime Ministership,
Julia, I want to thank you for having the courage to be that person.
Kind regards,
Penny
