SYDNEY: Women across Australia are throwing their support behind the country's Prime Minister Julia Gillard after she called the opposition leader sexist in a speech that has sent political shockwaves across the globe. Gillard called Tony Abbott on Tuesday in Parliament misogynist and a hypocrite after Abbott had called for the resignation or firing of Speaker of Parliament Peter Slipper over text messages he had sent to a former staffer. “What Gillard said was something we had always been thinking for a long time and finally someone in a position of power spoke out,” said 22-year-old university student Sarah Mitchell. She told Bikyamasr.com that the PM “is a role model for all women to be strong and forceful when injustice is happening around us.” “I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. I will not,” she said. “And the government will not be lectured on sexism and misogyny by this man. Not now, not ever. “If he wants to know what misogyny looks like in modern Australia he doesn't need a motion in the House of Representatives, he needs a mirror, that's what he needs.” She then recounted previous alleged quotes by Abbott, which she said had repeatedly offended her personally. Gillard said: “I was offended when the leader of the opposition went outside in the front of Parliament and stood in front of a sign that said ‘ditch the witch'. “I was offended when the leader of the opposition stood next to a sign that described me as a ‘man's bitch'. “I was offended by those things! Misogyny, sexism, every day from this leader of the opposition,” she said. Her comments came after Abbott said that the speaker possessed “attitudes and values which are absolutely and utterly indefensible.” For women here in Australia it signals a turning point for the political scene and one that will continue to produce strong female leaders such as Gillard. “I can't say enough. She did what was required of a leader and I hope it will create more women to be interested in politics in the future,” environmental consultant Maria Rossi told Bikyamasr.com. While opposition politicians have lashed out at Gillard for her comments, saying it was unbecoming of a prime minister, women are banding together in support of the PM across social media websites.
