Just making sure you know.
See? Clearly we’re different people! Hmph!
Edited transcript of Julia Gillard’s acceptance speech - The Australian:
It’s with the greatest humility, resolve and enthusiasm that I sought the endorsement of to be the Labor Leader and to become Prime Minister.
I have accepted that endorsement. And I am truly honoured to lead this country which I love.
I am utterly committed to the service of our people. I grew up in the great state of South Australia. I grew up in a home of hardworking parents. They taught me the value of hard work. They taught me the value of respect. They taught me the value of doing your bit for the community.
And it is these values that will guide me as Australia’s Prime Minister.
I should point out that there’s some questions as to whether she’s the first atheist Prime Minister – Bob Hawke was considered to be one or possibly an agnostic. Sean The Blogonaut has his own comments in that regard and whether it will mean changes to the system as it stands.
Naontiotami of Homologous Legs blog writes:
This is great news for Australia’s feminist population (which I hope is a majority of citizens), but it’s also fantastic for the non-religious in this country as well, because Julia Gillard, in December of last year, described herself as “a non-practicing Baptist” and “non-religious”. I’m fairly sure that that’s coded political speech for “atheist”, which I doubt any politician in a high position would dare to utter these day – although the climate around religion has calmed in the past few years, and irreligious people have felt more open about “coming out” about their lack of belief in God.
Personally? After observing her time as Education Minister and the criticisms of the Building the Education Revolution program in this country, I have my doubts as to whether the likelihood of her being an atheist is going to guarantee massive improvements – Chrys of Atheist Nexus has also pointed out the continuing issue as to whether the ‘No Clean Feed’ will still go ahead.
But I guess that’s something that the likes of the fake ‘Twitter PM Julia Gillard’ will probably be commenting upon in the future as well. Wow, it’s astounding how fast a fake-Tweet account can appear when something like this happens! :p
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I wondered if Gillard was the first non-religious Australian PM, and found I was wrong. Not only does Wikipedia have Hawke as openly agnostic, but Gorton and Whitlam too.
Yep, Hawke is the one I usually point out to people.
Not only that but she’s not the first ginger either. Will have to settle for being the first woman.
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