By Nicola Gage
Julia Gillard’s time in the political spotlight may be well and truly over, but her passion for education and gender equality has only grown since.
“The uncomfortable statistic is that with current rates of change, it won’t be for another 100 years that we universally around the world see girls get to go to primary and the first few years of secondary school,” she said.
“I’m putting my energy into how we equalise that and make sure every child gets a great education.”
Ms Gillard has been awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her services to politics, and is among the third of recipients of this year’s Australia Day honours who are female.
Looking back on her time in the office, she said the greatest emotion for her was one of gratitude to the Australian nation.
“[It’s a place] where you can literally jump off a boat as a four-year-old, as a migrant, and end up as Australia’s Prime Minister, as the first woman to serve,” Ms Gillard said.
“I would like for people to recognise that I went into politics driven by a sense of purpose, by wanting to see change.
“Through some easy days and through some more difficult days I think I stayed true to that.
“It really is a very great recognition for me of the things that I’ve done and the values that I believe in and I’m very grateful for it.”