Tonight on Kitchen Cabinet, former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews opens up about her experiences in the male-dominated world of Australian politics.
She shares her kitchen for a steamboat meal, introduces her eccentric pets, and delves into deep-seated issues faced by women in Parliament.
“I’d just be sitting there minding my own business and I would have the back of my neck breathed on,”
Andrews revealed to Crabb.
“And if I asked a question, it would be, ‘That was a great question, thrusting and probing.'”
She addressed the dismissive nature of some reactions she encountered.
“But do you know what the issue is? Well, there would be people that would say, ‘Can’t you take a joke? Can she not take a joke?’ I mean, really … and sometimes I do call it out, but sometimes I just go, ‘I can’t be in every fight.'”
Beyond the obvious physical discomforts, Andrews touched upon her feelings of isolation, especially when highlighting incidents from within her own party. Her tenure as a mechanical engineer in a male-dominated field did not prepare her for the gender-related challenges she’d face in politics.
With reflective candour, she voiced her opinion on Liberal leadership.
“With the benefit of hindsight, the former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg should have challenged then prime minister Scott Morrison for the leadership.”
Kitchen Cabinet, which made its debut in 2011, is a unique blend of culinary exploration and political dialogue. The show’s premise sees Crabb visiting the homes of politicians to cook and converse. This series offers a look into the personal lives of several notable politicians, including Linda Burney, Peter Dutton, Bridget McKenzie, Jordon Steele-John, Lidia Thorpe, and Anika Wells.
Annabel Crabb, a stalwart of the Parliamentary Press Gallery since 1999, remarked on the evolving nature of Parliament, highlighting its increasing diversity.
Those keen to revisit previous seasons will find them brimming with insights from a myriad of politicians. The show had its original run from 2012 to 2016.
Behind the scenes, the production team includes Director Stamatia Maroupas, Executive Producer Madeleine Hawcroft, Producer Pauline Ernesto, Associate Producer Brett Worthington, and Editors Elizabeth Graetz & Sally Moran.
