Do you want someone like you in charge?

Why must government be ‘representative’, asks Carol Sarler. It makes no sense. We must fight back against this pernicious new orthodoxy

Only a week ago, as Julia Gillard was sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia, the sheilahood could scarcely believe its luck. A woman, no less! And not just any woman, either: Miss Gillard ticked all the righteous boxes as an avowed feminist, a pro-choice campaigner and a proud member of Emily’s List, an organisation founded — there as here — to promote sex equality in all things, especially in governance.

By Monday this week, the most fervent of fans didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Gillard’s first Cabinet reshuffle not only kept all 14 men in its 18-strong number but even divvied up the additional tasks that the ousted Kevin Rudd might have performed among, yes, the chaps. Funny old place, the real world. For those who ever get there.