Ita Buttrose

Journalist, author and TV presenter

Ita Buttrose is one of Australia’s highest profile women, and a powerhouse of Australian media. A Women of the Future judge two years running, Ita says it’s not easy choosing between such outstanding candidates. “In Australia we’re breeding young women with a great entrepreneurial spirit, prepared to work hard to make their visions come true,” Ita says. She advises young women to believe in themselves. “If you don’t believe in yourself no one else will,” says this game-changer in the publishing industry. “And do the things you have your heart set on.” We asked Ita, if she could erect a statue to one outstanding Australian woman, who would it be? She suggested that the 21st century might be “the women’s century” and that she would like to see a sculpture that captured the diverse spirits and cultures of all the women in Australia.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition,

Shadow Minister for Education & Training

One of the many hats Tanya Plibersek wears is Shadow Minister for Women, which gives her the opportunity to meet extraordinary young women. And judging the Women of the Future Awards will allow her to meet even more. “This whole generation fills me with optimism,” she says. Tanya is inspired by previous generations, too, and says that if she could erect a statue of one woman it would be Margaret Whitlam, “partly because she herself was a fantastic human being but also because she was symbolic of a generation of women” whose talents weren’t always recognised. “There is no question that Margaret could have been Prime Minister,” Tanya insists. “She was a de facto member of parliament. She did as much work as Gough in the electorate and she raised four kids almost single-handed. Why is there no statue?”