Writing
Betty Can Jump at the Pram Factory: the radical 1970s play that built a scene – and changed Australia
In this piece for The Guardian, I describe finding myself on federal election day in 2022 handing out how-to-vote flyers with the film and TV actor Bruce Spence, and I look at how federal arts policy has nurtured the arts since the 1970s.
#MeToo Stories from the Australian Movement
In the opening essay of the Picador anthology #MeToo: Stories from the Australian movement, I revisit the 70s, make peace with a 90s Helen Garner, ponder if I have any Louis C.K.s in my life and talk about the work labour movement women are doing to address sexual harassment at work.
The Sydney Women’s Film Group and Betty Can Jump
Before #MeToo, 1970s Australian feminists used film and theatre to raise consciousnesses about women's liberation. Read my story for The Saturday Paper here.
Daniels trump the world's Donalds
This opinion piece about the portrayal of platonic friendships on screen was first published by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Generation X are having their Don't Dream It's Over moment
Read my opinion piece from the Sydney Morning Herald about the recent Australian tours of bands from Gen X’s youth.
I don't mean to be personal
A piece I wrote after an opinion piece I wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald went a little viral for all the wrong reasons.
Our insatiable appetite for women's tragic stories
An opinion piece I wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald about the pressure on women artists to reveal personal stories in their writing and art.
The worst thing about the PPL backflip is that voters love it
To win the policy debate over paid parental leave (PPL), feminists need to better sell the message that parental leave doesn’t have to be a win-lose scenario: just because someone else gets a better deal, that doesn’t mean I have to lose out. A comment piece first published on Women’s Agenda and Crikey, 27-28 May 2015.
Not a great day for celebrating
How can we celebrate International Women’s Day when so far this year 17 women have been murdered in Australia in domestic violence incidents. First published by The Hoopla, 8 March 2015
A 6-point plan to make kids men's business
This International Women’s Day I have one wish: that we start making caring for children men’s business.
Pollie want a crack-up?
It’s hard to imagine anyone in parliament today getting away with Whitlam’s retort when Sir Winton Turnbull called out in parliament “I am a country member”. Gough interjected, “I remember”.
Have you ever been Triggsed?
Tony Abbott has accused Gillian Triggs, the President of the Human Rights Commission, of losing the confidence of the Australian people. Accusations are flying that his government tried to move her sideways by offering her another senior role. The police have been called in.
The whole sorry episode has raised questions about democracy and the independence of public servants.
14 Women dead this year and counting...
We are just seven weeks into 2015 and already 14 women have been violently murdered in Australia.
Principal Abbott: Good education starts today
The Hoopla has an exclusive: this year’s commencement address from Tony Abbott, principal of Capital Hill High, Canberra.
The Breakfast Club Turns 30
The classic brat pack movie The Breakfast Club is now officially middle-aged: On February 15, it turned 30. Does it stand the test of time? Does Judd Nelson? First published on The Hoopla.
Annastacia Palaszczuk: Smashing glass ceilings
If, as looks almost certain, Labor forms government in Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk will become Australia’s first female state opposition leader to take her party to victory. First published in The Hoopla.
Izzard in Oz: Why I love mascara on a man
Seeing all the pictures of the touring Eddie Izzard in the Australian media recently – all black, black lashes and glossy lacquered nails – has reminded me of just how much I can really quite fancy a bit of make-up on a man.rd in Oz: Why I love mascara on a man
The Lindt siege wouldn't have happened if they had been armed?
While the facts about the moments that led to the tragic deaths in Martin Place are still unclear, and while speculation remains about how Monis could be in possession of a gun and whether he had a licence, there seems little doubt that the mood for more guns has shifted in the years since Port Arthur. This story was first published on The Hoopla.