George Brandis says there’s nothing wrong with men-only clubs. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia
THE Melbourne Savage Club asks just three things of those aspiring to join its privileged ranks — that they offer fine company, love all things bohemian and be male.
It’s the third criteria that’s proved controversial for one of the private club’s newest members, cabinet minister George Brandis.
Senator Brandis has confirmed he’s accepted membership to the “illustrious” 19th-century club, which boasts exotic artefacts, a “rare ambience” and “wonderfully eccentric” social gatherings behind its scarlet doors.
The opposition today seized on his admission to such an establishment with much mirth.
“Sing the song George!” came the cries, after Labor senator Stephen Conroy asked the minister to sing the club’s anthem and demonstrate its initiation ceremony.
Several senators asked “Lord Brandis” just what went on behind the scarlet doors.
The Attorney-General entertained the jests with humour, until Labor asked why the club didn’t accept women and if that clashed with his overseeing of anti-discrimination laws.
Senator Brandis said there were no laws in Australia against clubs basing membership on gender, and denied such rules were sexist.
“There is nothing against the law of Australia for there to be, for example, women’s only golf clubs,” he said.
“There’s nothing against the law of Australia for there to be men’s only clubs and there’s nothing against the law of Australia for there to be mixed clubs, nor should there, nor is that sexist.”
Senator Brandis held memberships to three clubs, including two that were mixed.
Barbs continued to be traded, with Liberal senator Bill Heffernan asking why Senator Conroy hadn’t declared that his application to the Country Women’s Association had been rejected.
But it all boiled down to Senator Conroy’s zinger moment, which drew groans from government senators losing their patience.
“Which institution is it harder for a woman to get into in 2014 — the Savage Club or the Abbott cabinet?” he asked.
Senator Brandis suggested he grow up, to calls of “hear hear” from the government.
The Melbourne Savage Club’s website says members share a “broad range of interests across the arts, literature, science and sport”.
Melbourne Savage Club Source: News Limited
“The club’s name reflects the desire of the founders to encourage a flowering of Bohemian tradition, like the London Savage Club, by taking the name of Richard Savage, a free-spirited 17th century English poet,” the site reads, referring to Richard Savage (1697-1743), who was poetically active in the 18th century.
“A diverse mix of academics and artists, lawyers and judges, businessmen and journalists is to be found behind the clubhouse’s scarlet doors, enjoying one another’s company amid classic decor and furnishings, fine art and exotic artefacts.
“Hospitable rooms provide a rare ambience for the many member performances showcasing their musical, theatrical and artistic talents, and for wonderfully eccentric social occasions.”
AAP
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