Senator Natasha Stott Despoja 

Senator Natasha Stott Despoja is the Senator for South Australia since 1996.  She is the Deputy Leader of the Australian Democrats Party. Her Party positions includes being Spokesperson on the issues of Higher Education, Employment and Training and Youth Affairs. Prior to becoming a Senator, she worked as a Political Advisor and Researcher to Senator John Coulter and Cheryl Kernot.  

As a Bachelor of Arts student, she was elected President of the Adelaide University Students' Association in 1991. From 1992-1994 she was a member of the South Australian Sufferage Centenary Committee. Her previous work experiences have also included being a freelance writer and a Radio Producer.

Interview with Natasha Stott Despoja

How do you define leadership?

I define leadership as an ability to both respond to the needs of community and people around you, as well as having a visionary and hopeful forward looking role that enables you to bring people with you, but never forgetting the importance of inclusion of people, and making sure that some people don't feel left behind or dragged forward.

In what areas of your life, do you see yourself as a leader?

I guess that in terms of my title or status, I'm in a leadership team as Deputy Leader of a political party. As one of twelve Senators, I guess I'm in a leadership position in terms of my community and my state and that's something I'm very proud of. I guess more importantly, I like the fact that I have, or hope that I have, paved  the way for other young women to enter politics, that's to use a different definition of leadership. I guess as a legislator, I'm very proud of some of the legislative initiatives for which much of my party and I have been responsible for, and I guess that's a leadership area I feel very proud of but, one that's least recognised.

In what area of your life, would you like to become a leader?

I'd like to hone down my personal life in a better sense, that is show some of the abilities that I bring to my professional life to my home and personal life, perhaps learn to be a little less over-committed and spend more time with friends and family - strange use of the word 'leadership' but, I think that perhaps the so called skills that are recognised as that of a member of the community or as a political so called leader, I'd like to apply closer to home.

What is your vision as a leader?

My vision is to see a society in which we are rid of social and other injustices and I think that anyone who is prepared to lead the debate, whether it is a legislative debate or a broader debate but, the rights of members of our community, especially those less advantaged, and in particular, the rights of women, I think that's a worthy and important debate and vision for us all to be a part of. I guess my vision is of an Australia where people are treated equally, where we have meaningful reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians and where we protect our wonderful natural and unique heritage - our environment.  So, my vision I guess is of a bold and beautiful country that recognises the wonderful qualities it has but, also works to overcome the injustices and the wrongs of the past. 

What strengths and weaknesses do you need to focus on to achieve your vision?

To answer this in a general sense, I think that it's more important that women especially those who are in a so called leadership position are maintaining their strengths, refreshing, rejuvenating, re-energising.  I don't think that happens enough.  I see women working very hard in their home, personal and professional spheres and not always being recognised, rewarded, acknowledged or compensated and that's very frustrating. I think that my situation is probably no different from other working professional women in that sense, but I guess I should be more stronger in striking a better balance between personal and professional. In terms of strengths, I think the fact that women are able to juggle such workload means that we have got skills and strengths and that we are multitalented in ways that are not always recognised but, until we learn to look after ourselves, I think that it's going to be very hard for us to be the leaders that we already are.  We need to sustain ourselves as leaders and ensure that more women have leadership opportunities.

Who are the leaders you admire?

Well, women everywhere, whether women leading communities or movements or women in political leadership positions.  Aung San Suu Kyi,  UN Commissioner, Mary Robinson, former leader of the Democrats, Jeanine Haines, Carmen Lawrence and Joan Kirner, women like that inspire me.

Why do you admire them?

I admire them because in many cases they are brave, they're outspoken they're feminists. They're taking on a male dominated establishment and traditions and they're doing so in a way which retains a sense of self, hopefully not having to subvert or submerge the issues and the concerns that are closest and most important to them.

Do you believe that a woman can be as good a leader as a man?

I do believe that women can be as good a leader as a man.  In fact, I think that women can be better leaders on occasion. I'm weary of suggesting that there's some kind of biological determinism involved, that women are somehow better than men, but I do believe that there are leadership traits and attributes associated with women that are sorely needed, especially in today's political world and in the Australian community, generally. Traits such as an ability to listen, and a willingness to act, an understanding that shouting at one another or adversarial politics and engagement is not necessary the best way to work.  I think that women are used to, as they say, balancing the household budget and that probably makes them excellent budget holders and treasury candidates in the political sphere although its rarely recognised.

What kinds of support do you think a woman needs in order to become a leader?

I think women need a range of support, obviously financial, clearly emotional and also political. I think women require support from friends and family, whether that's a loved one or a partner or children, as well as other dependents, or a broader sense of support.  I think that the broader your level of support, the better it is.  However, I don't underestimate the value of everything from support groups or networks to financial independence, and support, especially in politics, a political movement or group or party that supports you, and supports you in a way that's meaningful, not just supports you in name but, supports you in word and deed.

Which forms of support would you like to see more available?

I'd like to see more forms of support available to women and I mean general support.  I think more women getting in to politics will only be facilitated through additional contributions of funds. I think  that money is a requirement but, I think emotional support and a change of community attitudes are also important.  I think that the community is actually in many respects willing to get women into positions of power and influence. I think breaking down some of the male support groups that exist or the bastions, not so much male support groups but, bastions of male power. They will have to be broken down before women's support groups will thrive and women individually will succeed.

What aspects of a woman's life do you feel develop her leadership potential?

I think there are a number of aspects that develop leadership potential, as I said, whether its running a household budget or looking after children, or being a Carer or working in a community. I think a lot of these household traits and skills that are learnt and acquired through life are probably incredibly important in defining leadership potential. Apart from that, I think just women ensuring, or girls ensuring that they get equal time, where as good as in the classroom, probably hones their leadership and communication abilities as well.

Does your workplace recognise women as leaders and does it encourage women to develop their leadership skills?

Well, that's an interesting question because I guess we recognise a leadership female team in a political sense but, that's not to say that there is a general acceptance from all people including party members, that women are as natural leaders as men.   So I think perhaps my environment is more advanced than other political environments but, that's not to say that we're necessarily more advanced than all professional environments.

What forms of support would you like to see in your workplace to help women develop leadership skills?

The workplace does encourage women to develop leadership skills. In politics clearly there's an emphasis on leadership and development of leadership abilities but, coupled with that, is a very strong sense of tearing women down, and perhaps subjecting women to characteristics or stereotypes and standards that perhaps the men do not have to contend with. 

Do you feel women in a work and personal setting help each other to become leaders?

I think some women assist each other. I think there are strong groups of women who support each other to become leaders and to develop leadership potential and reward each other and acknowledge each other's work. I think, however, my environment is a very adversarial environment.  I'll admit the fact that there aren't support networks for women and by women in Parliament or in the political sphere. I get sick of the fact that women are played off against each other. I find that demeaning and also exhausting, and it's not something that I was prepared to encounter but, clearly there could be a lot more women in politics if women were more supportive of each other in a political environment. In a personal sense, I have very strong female support networks and that's important to me. 

How can the Centre for Leadership for Women help you achieve your leadership goals?

I guess the notion of formulating strategies is key. I think that the opportunity to develop networks, to oversee political movements and directions, to communicate with other women, and perhaps to not constantly reinvent the wheel, as we do as women but, to actually learn form other women's strategies and ideas and network, so that if anything, we move forward but, not suffer, as I think indeed we are as a movement right now, from a terrible backlash.  I think that the progression of women in our society is stalling, understandable in some respects in face of such conservative opposition, but I think certainly the Centre of Leadership for Women, I hope, will provide an outlet for communication as well as the opportunity to learn and network and support each other.