There are fewer and fewer moments where my chest fills up like it did hearing this speech. Watching my prime minister silence the rowdy parliament and slice up her opposition with such authority was a brilliant moment. Her response to Abbot’s sexism and hypocrisy was beyond reproach. But really it was the underlying sentiment that was just breathtaking.
Though it was delivered late 2012, it will stand as a brilliant moment in the history of feminism. Watching it several times affords you the chance to notice Deborah O’Neill and Laura Smyth follow Gillard’s words intently, in unified devotion, and the two male ministers directly behind her, quietly awed.
It is a deeply profound speech and I feel so grateful that I heard it, made by my woman prime minister to all Australian women and men.
A lady of worth.