I feel compelled to write this blog in support of deposed Prime Minister Julia Gillard who I feel was let down by her party, the media and the Australian public. I say that not because she was the first female PM but she was never given a fair go and was undermined by Kevin Rudd supporters and was subjected to the most unjustifiable treatment and disgusting comments which no PM whether male or female should have to endure.
Yes she made some mistakes but who amongst us doesn't and if you don't then you are not having a go. I also believe the party let her down by not being capable of selling some amazing ground breaking policies. Her leadership was always under fire by members within her own party and the media who continued to cover that story instead of the many achievements.
She was without doubt the best parliamentary performer and was comparable with Peter Costello & Paul Keating at their best but she did that at every sitting which takes stamina wit and intellect .
Regardless of the hung parliament and having to deal with the Greens & Independents she holds the record for the number of bills passed in a minority Govt. There is no other member capable of achieving that performance which speaks volumes about her negotiating skills.
I also acknowledge that the party had to do something drastic to minimise the potential loss of seats at the forthcoming election if the polls are to be believed. It must have been an agonising situation for people like Penny Wong and to a lesser degree Bill shorten who is mostly interested in Bill Shorten being the so-called deal maker.
Probably Australia's most popular politician is Kevin Rudd because they feel he was hard done by at being deposed by the faceless men and Julia Gillard. I am not sure that Julia Gillard was ever part of the hatchet job but only those close to the event will know what really happened.Because of the way it was done the Australian public never quite legitimised her leadership which is quite sad, but I am not so sure that Kevin Rudd should be rewarded with leadership when he & his supporters undermined her leadership for 3 years.
I think Julia Gillard's biggest mistake was suggesting "There will never be a Carbon Tax under a Govt I lead" which I believed she genuinely believed to be true, but on entering into a loose coalition with the Greens that was part of the inducement to introduce one. Her support from Independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakshott was on the basis that both men believed she was more genuine than Tony Abbott. Her Govt achieved much with the introduction of Carbon Trading Scheme, NDIS, Murray Darling basin scheme,NBN roll out,Pension increase and much more.
It is my belief Julia Gillard's time as PM will be judged as revolutionary with ground breaking reforms and many achievements under enormous obstacles she has achieved so much.
No party can claim any high moral ground with the disgusting mess of Refugee policy.
It was such a pity that Julia Gillard was never able to have clear air to prove her capabilities and full potential even in spite of that she achieved so much in her 3 years of high office.
Her final speech as PM was one of grace & dignity and showed the character of this important figure in our political history and she has made life easier for those females who will sorely follow.
