'Ms Liz' Has Had Enough Whitlam’s Adviser On... (Press, 8 October 1975)

Elizabeth Reid, the adviser on women's affairs to Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, has announced her resignation after two and a half years in a role that has proven to be exhausting and fraught with challenges. This decision comes after a series of health issues that led her to request a holiday. Reid, who was also the convener of the Australian National Advisory Committee for International Women’s Year (I.W.Y.), expressed frustration with the bureaucracy and the lack of clear support for her initiatives. In a recent interview at an I.W.Y. conference in Canberra, Reid revealed her feelings of bitterness and cynicism, noting that she felt isolated and unfairly targeted for criticism. She described the challenge of aligning the differing expectations of various groups regarding women's affairs, from militant feminists who believed she was not being assertive enough, to conservative factions who thought she was going too far. Her appointment had already generated controversy, with some viewing it as tokenism. Reid's tenure has been marked by a series of high-profile and contentious issues, including her public statements on topics such as marijuana use, child care, and support for non-working wives, which were met with mixed reactions. Following a problematic I.W.Y. conference, Reid faced backlash stemming from media scrutiny and public protests, which only intensified the perception that her role was more about appearances than substantive progress. Whitlam's dissatisfaction with Reid's perceived ineffectiveness in a politically charged atmosphere further complicated her position, culminating in the cancellation of an upcoming United Nations seminar that she was set to be involved in. As Reid contemplated a new position within Whitlam’s office, intended to provide her with more authority and a permanent role, negotiations faltered over the lack of guarantees regarding the reporting structure of that new unit. Reid’s resignation surprised many supporters, including members of the Women’s Electoral Lobby and even some feminists, who recognised her as caught between competing factions of the women's rights movement. Despite being loyal to her cause, Reid was often critiqued for either not aligning closely enough with feminism or for being too embracing of it. Her resignation, perceived as a calculated decision rather than an emotional one, marks a significant shift in her career. Reid, who previously left her academic position at the Australian National University to take on this role, is now on leave and considering various job offers, including a position with an American women’s magazine and a global lecture tour. The position that Reid vacated will soon be open for others to apply, leaving behind a complex legacy amid an evolving landscape for women's affairs in Australia.

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