Allegra Spender: Women and Climate as Political Drivers

According to Peter Dutton, the housewives of Australia are at home doing their household budgets. According to Allegra Spender, women are out in the world demanding leadership who don't expect them to be at home ironing.

Allegra is the Independent MP for Wentworth, focusing on bringing humanity back into politics, climate action, building a kinder, more inclusive society, and making sure those 'women at home doing the budgets' don't crumble under the weight of the cost of living crisis we're in right now.

Unsprisingly impressive, Allegra has degrees from Cambridge, University of London, Harvard and Dartmouth, deep corporate and public experience, and she's doing it all as a mother of three.

We're heading into a federal election this year, and because I think it's so important we're represented by someone who doesn't think our place is in the kitchen, I've invited Allegra to chat with me about her hopes for the future. Full disclosure I campaigned for her last election and will be again this time. But with dual platforms of women and climate change that made her enter Parliament in the first place, I think you'll like this chat even if you don't like her politics.

In today's chat, we speak about:

• Allegra's mandate to represent the values of her community.

• The lies that get told during election campaigns (and that it's allowed!).

• The concern people have about opportunities, housing security, and cost of living.

• The imperative of climate action after the hottest year on record, and Australia's energy transition.

• Her belief (like RGB) that women should be equally represented in Parliament and involved in national decision-making.

• Her war stories in politics - and some of the places she's been able to drive significant change,

• How she balances work, travel and family, and building her kids' independence.

• Her belief that it's ok to care about your career, and that doesn't mean you don't also care about your kids.

I am so excited to be learning from her today, I hope you enjoy this episode with Allegra Spender.