The Wire

It’s hard for women in politics in this country. Julia Gillard has had to put up with everything from being criticised for her cooking skills to being accused of being “barren”. No wonder then that we haven’t yet had a female prime minister, and that the wives of our leaders have generally stayed in the background. Author Susan Mitchell in her new book “Stand By Your Man” decided to profile three prime ministers wives, to find out what made them tick and how much political power they actually wielded behind the scenes. Her book delves into the lives of Janette Howard, Tamie Fraser and Sonia Mcmahon.