Thread by @terrimbutler

With the revelations and allegations of the past few weeks it has never been clearer that we need women in politics. Not just a few, but a critical mass.

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Political culture is affected by the makeup of the parliament, the staffing corps, and the press gallery, and beyond that into party structures and activism.

Penny Wong is an example of a woman in leadership who is backed in by the fact of having a shadow cabinet & caucus that’s half women. This affects culture & context, and all of our leaders, male and female.

Here’s some of Penny’s words from yesterday.

“I think the problem here is that a press conference in which allegations – serious allegations – are denied is not going to give Australians the confidence that is required for a member of the Cabinet, and as you say, the person who is the first law officer of the country.

“But can I just take a step back a bit, Fran?

I think we are at a moment of serious national reckoning. I think we are at a time where brave young women have stepped forward, whether it's Ms Grace Tame or Ms Brittany Higgins or many others, and women are saying "enough".

“Now, there's been a lot of talk in the last few weeks about changing in culture; changes to how Parliament operates; changes across our society; the recognition of the prevalence, unfortunately, of so much sexual assault. Part of how we do that is how we respond to allegations.

“And we have serious, credible allegations about our Attorney-General and the Prime Minister really needs to stop looking at this as an issue of glib political management.

“He needs to take some responsibility, he needs to show some leadership. And in that way, I think, that's how we change culture and that's also how we ensure that Australians have confidence in the Cabinet.”

Let me again emphasise “critical mass”. Having a few high profile women isn’t enough. In an anti-women culture they can be part of the problem.