This week celebrated the Centenary of International Women’s Day and the week of celebrations surrounding it. Women in Australia have overcome many obstacles, not known by men and have achieved many long lasting changes in Australia. In 1902, women of Australia were given the right to vote and stand in national elections. In South Australia and Western Australia, women were already allowed to vote in state elections when this law was passed.
With the current Governor of Western Australia, Dr Kenneth Comninos Michael AC, due to step down from his current position on the 30th of April, it’s time to look at who will fill his shoes or fill the shoes of some high heels!! That’s Right, I’m talking about a woman stepping in to the role to be the next Governor of Western Australia.
There are many different responsibilities the Governor has in helping the state parliament. The Governor has the power to preside over Executive Council, appoint Ministers, Judges, Magistrates and Justices of the Peace and also has power over the Legislative Council. The Governor must sign all bills passed by the Western Australian Parliament for them to become law. The Governor was appointed previously by the Sovereign, on the advice of the United Kingdom Government. However since 1986 the Governor is appointed on the advice of the premier. Since the Australian Acts were passed by the Commonwealth Parliament and the Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1986 and the State Parliaments requested that the Governor act on the advice of the Premier, Minister’s and Executive Council.
A woman would be better suited for the role of the Governor of Western Australia as a woman shares different views and opinions and sees the world differently from a man’s perspective. Women aren’t controlled by testosterone as a lot of men can be and therefore can be better at handling situations of high intensity. Women are starting to be recognized as being better managers/executives in many different company’s for producing high-quality work, achieving company and personal goals. They are also effective at mentoring employees better, perhaps using their nurturing (motherly) nature to help talk to employees better.
Powerful women figures are a role model for women around the world. Currently we already have a female Governor General, Quentin Bryce and a female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. Quentin Bryce is already pushing the need for more women to be represented on boards across Australia and across all fields. All these important decision makers represent the women of Australia, as being powerful and successful. As a country we need to pave the way for women not only in Australia, but around the world, to have equal status to those of men and to have true equality of opportunity.
Western Australia has already been forward thinking in women’s rights, so it makes sense that a woman is more than ready to be Governor of Western Australia.
There are a number of people that this can be sent to. This opinion piece can be sent to ‘letters to the editor.’ All letters must be SIGNED with the writer's full name and address (not postal) and, if applicable, telephone number. They may be edited for Legal reasons or clarity.
Letters to the Editor, WA Newspapers,
GPO Box N1027,
Perth WA, 6843
Fax: 9482 3830 (include full address and telephone number)
SMS: 0434 600 700 (include your name and suburb)
I’ve chosen to send this to Paul Murray. He writes opinion pieces in the paper and also presents the morning program on 882 6PR. In the Weekend West March 12-13 he has written an opinion piece on women being put on boards. He finishes his piece by saying the GG should stick to “Opening fetes and making sure Government House has enough flowers.” These points are small things to pick at. There are a lot of politicians/business men that have lovely gardens and fly all around the world staying in ludicrously expensive presidential suites.
I have chosen to email him my piece, as he presents in the morning, I thought this piece may be mentioned on the radio, maybe not the newspaper. However his newspaper details are below.
Ph: 9482 3111
Email: paul.murray@wanews.com.au
Very well done Rhiannon, like your opinion and yes, well thought through
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