Defending the Mainstream, Women and Neoliberalism Under the Howard Government (1996–2007)

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Australian government policy but also provides relevant international examples. The advent of the Howard government was to see a major “weaponization” of gender equality arguments and policy. Liberal Party feminists became increasingly marginalised as the socially conservative right became dominant. Influenced by UK Thatcherite and especially US Reaganite conservative, neoliberal framing, the Howard government depicted itself as protecting so-called mainstream Australians against politically correct, elite, special interests who were trying to rip off Australian taxpayers by obtaining government largesse. Howard, in particular, exhibited a form of grandfatherly protective masculinity, in which he pledged to protect Australians from social change while ensuring rising standards of living. Feminist organisations were clearly included as “special interests” seeking government largesse. Consequently, various women’s services, advocacy groups and government women’s policy units were subject to budget cuts. Furthermore, Howard argued that previous Labor governments had disadvantaged stay-at-home mothers. The result was that Australia’s previously innovative gender policy regime went backwards under the impact of Anglosphere neoliberalism and social conservatism.