Australia's First Female Defence Minister Doesn't Want To Be Judged On Her Gender

    Marise Payne says it would be "absolutely fabulous" if her appointment could inspire young women to enter politics or defence.

    Alex Lee
    by Alex Lee

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, Australia

    Senator Marise Payne has held her first news conference as defence minister, telling reporters that she wants to be judged on her performance, rather than her gender.

    AAP

    "Apparently I am Australia's first female defence minister," she said.

    "All I ask is that I am judged on my performance, not on my gender."

    But Payne also hopes her new position will give hope to young Australian women with aspirations in the male-dominated fields of politics and defence.

    "But if, as female defence minister and Australia's first female defence minister, I can encourage, or that appointment encourages one extra young woman in this nation to consider a career in defence, to consider a career in politics, or encourages one woman currently serving in the ADF or part of the defence public service in what they are doing, I think that is an absolutely fabulous thing," she said.

    Payne spoke glowingly about the female colleagues she joins in the cabinet, giving a shout out to Michaelia Cash, Kelly O'Dwyer, Julie Bishop and Sussan Ley.

    Lukas Coch / AAPIMAGE

    Describing the women as "extraordinarily hard working and high performing", Payne said their appointments send "a real message about gender balance in this country, about balance in leadership and in decision making at the apex of government."

    The NSW senator spoke about her experience in the area as a member of several senate committees in foreign affairs, trade and defence, but said she wouldn't go into detail about policy as she was still being briefed.

    We have clearly been operating in a different paradigm for some time now with a non-state actor as our principle challenge or opponent. I think that has shifted approaches to engaging on these issues, to dealing with these issues on an international basis, not just domestically. There is absolutely no doubt that there are individuals, leaders in that organisation who are intent upon disrupting Western democracies and their ways of life, no doubt. Whether we link that retrospectively in a discussion around the post-September 11 environment to where we are in 2015. That has changed the way that the world deals with these things. I don't think that the magnitude of the threat should be underestimated. I think it is a very serious threat, there is no question.

    Her appointment has been welcomed by many in the defence sector. She'll now have to oversee military operations in Iraq and Syria, negotiating the submarine and ship-building project and the release of the defence white paper.