Julia Gillard's performance in parliament on Tuesday (October 9) confirmed the fact that when her back is to the wall and under the protection of parliamentary privilege she is a formidable opponent.
I am a little bemused though by the prime minister and her female cabinet members' continued attack on Tony Abbott, claiming him to be in some way anti-female.
While polls show he is less popular with females, they also reveal that Julia Gillard has the same problem with male voters.
Now we do not see Tony Abbott claiming that based on the polls, Ms Gillard is some kind of radical man-hating feminist.
The only conclusion I can come to for this disparity is that Tony Abbott sees all men and women as equal, but Julia Gillard and those Emily's List members in her government still see women as somehow vulnerable and have this deep-seated desire to attack any dominant male in sight.
The very fact that Julia Gillard has attained such high office, irrespective of how she attained the position, would suggest to them that it is time to move on.
DAVID ARSCOTT
Kangaroo Flat
