Minister Katy Gallagher on Grief, Power, and the Moment Her Life Changed Forever

Sep 14, 2025

Katy Gallagher, Australia’s Minister for Finance, Women, and the Public Service, dives deep into her personal journey shaped by grief and resilience. She candidly discusses her tragic loss and how motherhood has transformed her approach to politics. Katy advocates for ending violence against women and emphasizes the importance of financial security for equality. The conversation highlights the need for men to engage in gender equality discussions and reflects on the responsibilities of power in safeguarding democracy. This is a heartfelt plea for a fairer Australia.

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ANECDOTE

Healing Through Motherhood

Katy sank into severe depression after her partner's death and required hospital care, psychiatry and medication to recover.
The birth of her daughter Abby catalysed healing and helped her reconnect to life and purpose.

ADVICE

Change From Within

Stay inside organisations to change them from within rather than publicly attacking them from outside.
Argue for reform while accepting collective decisions and keep pushing for progress internally.

INSIGHT

Gender Equality As Economic Policy

Combining the finance and women portfolios centres gender equality in economic decision-making.
This reframes gender work as economic policy, not just social support.

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Minister Katy Gallagher carries deep, personal grief, and she's still fighting for the future of women.

Australia’s Minister for Finance, Women and the Public Service, Katy Gallagher joins Kate for a candid and deeply personal conversation about politics, motherhood, grief, and the quiet work of driving change at the highest levels of government.

From the heartbreaking loss of her partner to raising three children, one with complex needs, Katy shares how life experiences have shaped her political purpose and grounded her leadership style. She opens up about her biggest goal: ending violence against women and children within a generation, why financial security for women is essential to equality and what the finance portfolio really involves (hint: everything).

Kate and Katy talk about the challenge of engaging men and boys in the gender equality conversation and why men need to be part of the solution. They also unpack what it means to wield power responsibly - and why Katy thinks Australia’s democracy is something worth fiercely protecting.

Warm, insightful, and full of purpose, this is a conversation for anyone who wants a better, fairer Australia.

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CREDITS:

Guest: Katy Gallagher

Host: Kate Langbroek

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Bree Player

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

Video Producer: Josh Green

Recorded with Session in Progress studios.

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

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