On the 9th October 2021, Australia’s then Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered a powerful speech, which would change the course of our nation’s history and our discourse around feminism.
“I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. I will not. And the Government will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. Not now, not ever,” she said, with the last line, ten years later, becoming the title of her latest book.
Not Now, Not Ever is scheduled to be released by Penguin on the 5th October 2022 and is an exploration not only of our nation’s historical misogyny, but a roadmap for how we can and must do better in the future.
“For me, it is a personal and cathartic exercise looking back at THAT speech,” Gillard tweeted, alongside the book announcement. “But what has meant even more has been gathering the reflections and thoughts from others about then, now, and what next.”
Along with Gillard’s personal experiences and insights, she is also leaning on a selection of experts to share their thoughts on the matter. Kathy Lette examines how the speech resurfaced on TikTok after all this time, while the likes of Cate Blanchett and Brittany Higgins recall their first time hearing it. Next-generation feminists including Sally Scales, Chanel Contos, and Caitlin Figuerado will round out the commentary as they look at what desperately needs to be done next.
Proceeds from the book will go to the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, which, according to its website, ‘brings together rigorous research, practice and advocacy to better understand and address the causes of workplace gender inequality, women’s underrepresentation in leadership positions across sectors and countries, and the way gender negatively impacts the evaluation of women leaders.’
It’s just one part of the commitment that Gillard has, and continues to make to improve the lives of women in Australia, while championing for equality.
Not Now, Not Ever is available for pre-order here.
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