Senior female MPs to come together to encourage women in politics

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Senior female MPs to come together to encourage women in politics

By Natassia Chrysanthos

It's rare that members of parliament from across the political spectrum sit down and unanimously agree on an issue.

But that's what audiences can expect when Liberal MP Julie Bishop, Labor MP Linda Burney and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young come together for a panel about increasing female representation in politics at the Sydney Opera House's All About Women event in March.

"When young women see women in senior leadership positions, the world expands for them. Things become more possible," says Labor MP Linda Burney.

"When young women see women in senior leadership positions, the world expands for them. Things become more possible," says Labor MP Linda Burney.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

"I think people will hear some very similar views, very similar concerns and a very similar sense of humour," Burney says. "It will be a warm and incredibly important discussion."

"What it exposes, as well, is that [women] in parliament have the same issues that other women have: who's going to watch the kids, being away from home, being in relationships that can become very complex. We have the same sorts of concerns about community safety, about domestic violence."

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After a year that put a spotlight on the bullying of women in parliament following the resignation of Liberal MP Julia Banks, Burney says she wants to see greater numbers of women in parliament after the next election.

"There were some obvious cultural problems that emerged when it came to women’s roles and participation, and the way in which women were treated, particularly around the leadership challenge," she said.

"Half the population is women. It's perfectly reasonable that there should be that representation within the parliament."

Burney, Bishop and Hanson-Young will speak on the Leading While Female panel moderated by Sydney Morning Herald journalist and columnist Jacqueline Maley at the annual All About Women event.

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The festival's second line-up announcement also highlights the appearance of Tina Tchen, who was the chief of staff to former first lady Michelle Obama and special assistant to then-president Barack Obama.

Continuing a theme of influential women in politics, Tchen will speak about her eight years in the White House, where she served on the Council on Women and Girls and led summits about women and working families.

The Herald will host a special edition of SMH Live, focusing on the prevalence of domestic violence in Australia, to be moderated by editor Lisa Davies.

"The Herald has never been shy about covering issues surrounding violence against women, and will continue to do so as long as crimes keep occurring," Davies said.

"To report it, and talk about it, highlighting the plight of hundreds of women each year, is part of the process for positive steps for change."

A Bad With Money session featuring Melinda Howes, the general manager of superannuation at BT Financial Group, will provide practical advice on how women can eliminate debt, save faster and create financial security for themselves.

Emerging voices will be brought to the table on a panel titled Future of Feminism, including those of Aboriginal activist Aretha Brown, Tunisian feminist and diplomat Aya Chebbi and cultural commentator Ayishat Akanbi. Comedian Zoe Coombs Marr will deliver a partially-improvised talk challenging the myth that women aren't funny.

They join an existing line-up that includes sessions on feminist resistance in the Arab world, intergenerational poverty in America and what makes a good man.

All About Women, Sydney Opera House, Sunday March 10.

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