Cheryl Kernot: the "Scarlet Woman"

Cheryl Kernot was the leader of the Australian Democrats (1993 – 1997) and Federal MP for the Australian Labor Party (1998 - 2001).

Cheryl Kernot had a bit of a dream run in her early political career, as far as her treatment by the press goes. Unlike Joan Kirner, she was portrayed in a flattering yet serious light and her political clout was not questioned – perhaps in recognition of her role as leader of the minority party holding the balance of power.

Things changed on her defection to the Labor Party and as details of an affair with a former pupil came to light. In 1998, in an attempt to reverse her slipping popularity, she posed for the Australian Women’s Weekly. The photo at right of her wearing a long red dress with black lace bodice, a feather boa around her shoulders, proved symbolic of her personification as the “scarlet woman”.

Once the press were able to hold up this visual evidence of Cheryl the seductress, her credibility was diminished and her political decline assured.

Joan Kirner: "Miss Piggy for Premier"

Joan Kirner was the first female Premier of Victoria (1990)

When Joan Kirner became Premier of Victoria in 1990 constant references were made made to her weight and appearance; she was depicted as matronly and frumpy.

The Australian, August 10, 1990 called her “schoolmarmish” and the day before that The Truth had the headline “Miss Piggy for Premier”.

Memorably, she would often be drawn in cartoons wearing a polka dot dress, as in the Jeff Hook cartoon above from the Sun Herald. She was so strongly identified with this image, comedian Magda Szubanski included the frock in her impersonation. Which was odd, given she never owned a polka dot dress, much less wore one in public.

Joan Kirner and the polka dot dress have gone on to be a symbol of the low point in the sexism of the Australian press and the subject of much feminist study. An excellent article by Virginia Haussegger in The National Times demonstrates the resonance that symbol still has today.

Lady Sonia McMahon: "Absolutely Smashing"

Lady Sonia McMahon was the wife of Sir William McMahon, Prime Minister (1971 to 1972).

In spite of a long and active life as a socialite, political wife and philanthropist, the thing most Australians remember about Sonia McMahon is the white dress she wore to lunch at the White House with the Nixons in 1971.

Split to the armpit and revealing her long elegant limbs and model figure, the dress caused quite a stir in press the world around and much was made of her daring modernity. The fashion editor of the Washington Post described it as "absolutely smashing. I think the dress is a breakthrough for fashion and a blow for women's liberation."

Dame Enid Lyons: "Right on the Tick"

Dame Enid Lyons was the first woman elected to the Australian House of Representatives (1943) and the first woman appointed to the Federal cabinet (1949).

"The Dame is not only up to the minute in politics; she is right on the tick with regard to fashion. In the first photographs to hand of her as vice president of the Executive Council she is wearing with her smart lightweight suit a string of pearls, and strain of elections and all, she wears the pearls knotted in quite the latest style"

The Bulletin, December 28, 1949

The Bulletin was silent on what Robert Menzies wore to swear her in.

Australian Female politicians: Fashionistas or Faux Pas?

Since the first woman was elected to an Australian parliament in 1921 our female politicians have attracted much comment on their attire in the press; more so than their male counterparts. In our next few posts, we're going to look at some of them through the years – what they wore and what was said. Stay tuned...

Happy Birthday Julia!

Julia Gillard celebrates her 50th birthday today. What did she choose to wear on her big day?

No drab colours for the PM on this special occasion - she emerged for the cameras this morning in a bright orange jacket. We've seen the jacket before - it's not a colour you forget.

The jewellery, however, is new - a present from Tim - and, as such, got a mention in every article about the birthday.

The necklace and earrings coordinated rather nicely with Julia's hair, but not with the jacket.

The Prime Minister will soon have another birthday accessory to show off - a cavoodle puppy (another present from Tim). But we'll have to wait a couple of weeks to see it as it's still too young to leave its Mum (hopefully it won't match the jacket either).

Photo: Justin McManus