Inside the shared joke between Gallagher and Wong

Why millions of women can relate to this pollie’s “shiny face” quip

By Odessa Blain

Why millions of women can relate to this pollie’s “shiny face” quip

By Odessa Blain

Previous article “Let’s lower the bar”: Why this CEO wants women to do a whole lot less

Next article Janine never thought divorce would mean losing her family and friends

Senator Katy Gallagher has shed light on a secret joke shared between her and Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong.

Speaking at the FW La Trobe Financial Federal Budget Dinner, Gallagher let the audience in on why her face might look a little different on the campaign trail this year.

As part of her keynote address before a packed room at Parliament House’s Great Hall this Wednesday, Gallagher spoke about the importance of investing in women’s health.

“This budget has a lot to say about women’s health, another area that’s been misunderstood, underinvested and under-attended for too long,” she said.

“… how good is it that we have budget papers that talk about endometriosis, pelvic pain, reproductive rights, contraception, IUD devices.”

The Senator revealed she had made a quip to Wong about the menopause treatment pledged to receive additional funding under this year’s budget.

Senator Gallagher has spoken at the event every year since its first iteration in 2022.

“I made a joke to Penny [Wong] today that if anyone sees me with a lot of that shiny face during the campaign, it’s because I’ve been using [Labor MP Ged Kearney] Ged’s new PBS listed menopause treatment.

“… apparently, you only use a very tiny bit of the gel, but I can see a day when I’m going to need a lot more than that.”

The Budget Dinner, which Gallagher labelled “the most sought-after ticket in town” is the fourth annual event of its kind.

As part of the address, which cast a gendered lens over government spending, Gallagher also spoke about the importance of having women in the room.

“… to drive real change in women’s policy, women needed to be represented when the economic decisions were being taken,” she said.

She said more work needed to be done to address violence against women.

“Women will never be equal until we are safe all of the time,” she said.

FW Managing Director Helen McCabe hosted a Q&A with Zoe McKenzie MP.

She was joined by Liberal MP, Zoe McKenzie. McKenzie spoke about cost of living issues and described many people as being “furious” with the current state of the economy.

“Last Friday I was in a room this size choc-a-bloc with small business women … they’re not succeeding because of the system, they’re succeeding despite it,” she said.

“There’s this constant sense of swimming against a wave pool to get ahead. No one in that room was telling me they’re cosy or comfortable.”