Sydney Theatre Company | Saturday, 25 February 2023

On October 9, 2012, Julia Gillard, then the Prime Minister of Australia, delivered a speech in the Australian Parliament that would go down in history as one of the most powerful speeches on misogyny ever given.

In this speech, Gillard addressed the opposition leader, Tony Abbott, and called him out on his sexism and misogyny. The speech was widely acclaimed, both nationally and internationally, and sparked a much-needed conversation about gender equality in Australian politics and society.

Gillard's speech was a response to a motion put forward by the opposition leader, Tony Abbott, to remove the Speaker of the House, Peter Slipper. Slipper had been accused of sexual harassment by a former staffer, and Abbott used this motion as an opportunity to attack Gillard's government. Gillard, however, used the opportunity to deliver a scathing rebuke of Abbott's history of sexist and misogynistic comments and behavior. In her speech, she said:

"I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. I will not. And the government will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. Not now, not ever."

Gillard went on to detail Abbott's history of sexist comments and behavior, including his statement that abortion is "the easy way out" and his description of a female candidate as having "sex appeal". The speech was a powerful indictment of the sexism and misogyny that women in Australian politics, and in society more broadly, have to face on a daily basis.

Gillard's speech had a profound impact on Australian politics and society. It sparked a much-needed conversation about gender equality and the treatment of women in politics and society. It also put the issue of misogyny front and center in the public debate, and forced politicians and commentators to confront their own attitudes towards women. Gillard's speech was a turning point in Australian politics, and paved the way for greater gender equality in the years to come.

Julia Gillard's historic speech on misogyny in Australian politics was a powerful indictment of the sexism and misogyny that women in politics, and in society more broadly, have to face on a daily basis. The speech sparked a much-needed conversation about gender equality, and forced politicians and commentators to confront their own attitudes towards women. Gillard's speech was a turning point in Australian politics, and its impact is still being felt today. It is a speech that will go down in history as one of the most powerful speeches on misogyny ever given.

More details from the Event Listing on Coast Box Office.. coastboxoffice.com/s/VMH3ZEMVGZGX

In 2012 Julia Gillard, Australia's first female prime minister, gave a speech that sent shockwaves around the world.

Now, ten years later, one of Australia's most esteemed and celebrated playwrights, Joanna Murray-Smith, brings the human story behind that speech to the stage.

Julia is an extraordinary new play that will see the glorious Justine Clarke (Children of the Sun) embody the life and career that led to the ‘misogyny speech', in a phenomenal performance directed by Helpmann Award-winning Sarah Goodes (The Children).

This is both an intimate and compelling insight into the person behind the public mask, and a reflection on the experience of women in contemporary politics. Combining genuine excerpts from Gillard's speech with Murray-Smith's incredible dramatic imagination this play is also a thrilling coming together of history and art.

Around the world, we are seeing the most profound rollbacks to women's rights legislation in two generations. At the same time, there have been encouraging strides forward in the representation of women in positions of power, both at home and abroad. In this climate, Julia is a rousing and energising reminder of where we've come from and an empowering imagining of the challenges we've yet to face.

Sydney Theatre Company is presenting Julia at Sydney Opera House Thu, 30th March to Sat, 13th May '23

Tap the "Julia" button below for more information.