The youngest woman in Victoria’s state parliament made her first speech on Tuesday, speaking about her experience being outed as a stripper and topless waitress when images were posted on social media without her consent while she was at university.
Georgie Purcell, a new Animal Justice Party MP, was elected to parliament at the recent Victorian election. In her speech, she said she is proud of her past and wants to use her unique experiences to bring kindness, empathy and compassion to politics.
Purcell said she worked as a stripper and topless waitress to make some extra money while studying at university.
“At one point in my life, it was a secret – and it was a secret that was stolen from me,” Purcell said. “This defining moment was in the Summer of 2012, when I was in my second year at Deakin University and working as a topless waitress and stripper.”
“I did everything I possibly could to protect my anonymity from my peers, but it didn’t work.
“My whole world stopped on the day that my phone pinged with a notification that I had been tagged on Facebook. I froze, staring at a photo of myself on the screen – and a thread of comments beneath.”
Purcell said her experience is one many young women go through, speaking of what it feels like to be “de-legitimised” in a university environment.
“Being outed is the most severe of betrayals. Because of one person’s fleeting decision to take away my consent and my autonomy, I felt my life was no longer worth living,” she said.
“They stole 10 years from me, with my past constantly hanging over my head like a dark cloud – living in fear every day that it would resurface.”
Purcell has said previously she decided to run for parliament to get young people’s voices represented in parliament. She is a staunch advocate for the rights of animals, having previously worked as Chief of Staff to former Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick. She has also worked as a union official and lawyer.
“But here I stand today – the youngest woman of this parliament – owning my story, proud of my past and ready for my future,” she said in her speech.
“I now know that my experiences bring a unique perspective to this place, and the ability to consider matters with kindness, empathy and compassion.”
Purcell also used her first speech in parliament to cement her position as a voice for animals, saying: “To the animals of Victoria, despite your suffering in the shadows, I see you. Despite speaking a different language, I hear you. As long as I have the honour and privilege of being a member of this place, I will fight for you. And while your situation is so dire, with all of our supporters behind me, I am filled with hope for the future.”
@georgie.purcell.ajp I made my first speech today. Here’s just a snippet. #vegan #vegansoftiktok #springst ♬ original sound – Georgie Purcell