And of course whistler belittling people who don't completely align with your views is more likely to lead to them rejecting your positions.

On the contrary imajulianutter, why should I waste my time in conversation with someone who has no grasp of the facts of the discussion, someone who simply opines on prejudice. Not all opinions are worthy of discussion, what a ludicrous supposition, but perhaps not to those unacquainted with critical thinking.

Why do the coalition want Rudd returned as Labour leader? Well, arguably because multi-millionaire Rudd is one of them, a flawed fiscal conservative, I believe, simply posing as a socialist, merely to get his power hungry hands on the levers of power?
And, because Julia is far and away one of the most competent and genuine socialist leader/dangerous adversary; they have confronted in many a year?
I have two daughters and applaud the systematic destruction of the glass ceiling; that have held hostage the best, brightest and most brilliant from the other 50% of our population!
Those companies that are in the best shape in today's current economic climate, are those with significant numbers of women on the board or fronting as CEO's!
One notes the paucity of logical argument coming from the over-represented typical misogynists, endlessly putting their mindless vacuous broken record opinions, which simply echoes the equally mindless or moribund Machiavellian machinations of mediocre miscreant mendacious Slime slinging Sydney shock jocks?
Not for nothing is it writ large, empty vessels make the most sound!
Sadly, as voters, [*electoral roll*,] women currently outnumber men and as such; particularly in their dotage, are arguably their own worst enemies? Rhrosty.

Still feisty, I see whistler. But as unconvincing as ever.

>>A leader appointed by a majority of men, a Cabinet comprising seventeen men and five women, legislatures overwhelmingly populated by men...<<

There are more women than men in the electorate. They choose the people who go on to appoint the leader, and the cabinet. The entire legislature is elected, in fact, by a majority of women. Why is this so difficult for you to accept?

>>...no dedicated women’s legislature, not even a women’s caucus as with a majority of modern legislatures<<

What possible justification can there be for a separate women's legislature? Women have an equal vote, and they use it to elect people - men, and women. Creating separate laws for men and for women is not the answer to any question that has yet been posed. And whose problem is the lack of a "women's caucus", whatever that might be. If you want one, form one. It's a free country.

>>...universal women’s suffrage which can simply be withdrawn by a majority of the parliament rescinding the relevant legislation<<

That's a furphy. Parliament could just as easily withdraw the vote from men.

>>...no recognition women bring a different approach to governance than men<<

"Different" in what way? How was Thatcher "different". How was Golda Meir "different"? How is Cristina Fernández de Kirchner "different". And how is that way necessarily an improvement?

>>...all this from a Constitution which allegedly supports equal rights, evidence which clearly refutes your opinion Pericles<<

It is not anyone's opinion that the Constitution supports equal rights. It is a straightforward fact: the Constitution supports equal rights.

>>While I acknowledge your right to an opinion, once again, where such opinion is clearly without substance, I decline discourse with you.<<

With such a weak case, whistler, your disinclination to discuss it does not surprise me in the slightest.

Have a great day.

Is a woman leader possible?
If the woman is not female australian, yes!

The problem with women politicians in Australia is that they are bound by the rules of the Westminster system, which is the most macho, confrontational, hairy-chested, dick-swinging parliamentary culture of all the democratic systems worldwide.

The main problems besetting Julia Gillard are that she is not only breaking ground as the first female PM, but she is also lumped with leadership of the LEAST Westminster-type parliament in Australia’s history. Strangely enough, it’s a parliament better suited to the constrictions traditionally placed on women’s lives – i.e. deferring their life goals to the needs of others.

No wonder the winner-take-all politariat, weaned on the winner-take-all Westminster system, looks at the compromises and game changes critical to the success of a minority government and all they can see is weakness and deceit.