This week Tony Abbott stood up at an International Women’s Day function and declared that not only have we as a nation “smashed just about every glass ceiling”, but that we women in Australia, especially Sydney, have it “pretty good”.

This, from the self appointed Minister for Women.

But now I’m really confused? If we’re smashing those glass ceilings Mr Abbott, could you please explain a few things to me?

• Why did the recruitment guy, who called me to organise an interview with his client, disappear into thin air after I revealed to him I had young children?
• Why am I told to hide my motherhood in the workplace so people won’t think I’m “prone to slacking off” or less serious about my career?
• Why do I have to keep knocking back exciting jobs because I’m terrified I can’t balance the demands of being a mother with the demands of a top corporate position?
• Why do I keep accepting ‘easier’ jobs…jobs that I did about 10 years ago?
• Why is it likely that a man will be paid 17 per cent more than me for doing that easier job?
• Why are the people charged with looking after our precious children, when we do go out to work, paid such incredibly low wages?
• Why is the balance of my super much less than my husband’s?

And while I’m asking…

• Why are only 17.6 per cent of ASX board members women?
• How come 42 boards in the ASX 200 do not have any women at all?
• Why are there only 12 female chief executives of Australia’s top 200 companies?
• Why is there is only one female member of your own cabinet?

I don’t get it Mr Abbott? When it comes to women, why can’t I see what you see?

Could we be looking through eyes that have witnessed very different life experiences?

I think perhaps we are.