Kate Ellis had only been a politician for a few weeks when she was approached in a Canberra bar during after-work drinks by a junior male staffer. “[He said], ‘The only thing anyone really wants to know about you, Kate, is how many blokes you had to f--k to get into this parliament,’” the former Labor MP writes in her new book, Sex, Lies and Question Time. “Sadly, those things are so common that by the time I left I probably wouldn’t even have remembered that story – it would just be blended in with all of the others,” Ellis tells WHO. “You do just become a bit acclimatised to it.”
The “it” she is referring to is the toxic workplace culture of Australia’s parliament. The 43-year-old spent 15 years in various MP roles, introducing national quality standards for childcare and finalising the national plan to end violence against women and children.
This story is from the April 26, 2021 edition of WHO.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 26, 2021 edition of WHO.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TAKE IT SLOW
Anyone can be a runner with this back-to-basics approach to hitting the pavement
ADAM LAMBERT
THE POP STAR IS READY TO MAKE SOME NOISE ON THE VOICE
LIANE MORIARTY - 'Tell me your secrets'
LIES AND SCANDAL ARE ALL IN A DAY'S WORK FOR THE AUTHOR
DID SHE REALLY manifest SUCCESS?
THE SUPERSTAR SINGER - WITH A NOTABLE FAMILY LINK TO THE SIMPSONS - IS ON A REAL ROLL
Like mother, like daughter
INSIDE LILA'S MODELLING JOURNEY AND CLOSE CONNECTION TO HER MUM
ITALIAN FAMILY VACAY
WITH A NEW TOYBOY IN TOW, THE MATERIAL GIRL CELEBRATED HER BIRTHDAY IN STYLE
LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY
THE MY KITCHEN RULES HOSTS TELL WHO ABOUT THE BOND THEY HAVE THAT CAN'T BE FAKED
LUCY LETBY - 'SHE'S NOT INNOCENT!'
AS SOME CAMPAIGN TO FREE THE KILLER NURSE, A MUM PLEADS FOR THE QUESTIONS TO STOP
BREAK-UP OVER BEN?
SOURCES SPILL THAT THE STAR'S LOYALTY TO HER EX IS TAKING A TOLL ON HER RELATIONSHIP
Justin & Hailey WELCOME BABY JACK!
BABY BOOM - THE STARS SAY HELLO TO A HOST OF NEW ARRIVALS