Sexy Sarah and a gorgeous, granny Governor-General?

Or, if you're Quentin Bryce, all three. Once finished counting Grandma-Governor-General Bryce's progeny and accomplishments, beady journalist eyes were turned to the woman's couture. “Quentin Bryce is a trailblazer in a twinset” (Herald Sun). “The winds of change swept into Parliament House yesterday in a purple dress and patent leather Mary Jane heels, as Quentin Bryce ... was sworn in as Australia's first female Governor-General” (Canberra Times).

Little wonder that women politicians in the UK, Australia, and South Africa told researcher Karen Ross in 2000 that they believed that the most frequently reported aspect of their lives was their appearance.

But others argue that it's the task of making politics palatable to an increasingly disengaged readership that sees us reading about Hillary Clinton's pant suits or where we can buy a pair of Palin's designer Kawasaki glasses.

Political journalist Siobhain Ryan from The Australian said, “There's pressure (on journalists) to add colour to the US campaign and there are plenty of adjectives to base that colour on that (Palin) uses herself”.

But if this is the case, why don't we see McCain's glasses in the news?

And, it seems unlikely any male politician will ever inspire quotes such as this one from Crikey, “Tumescent right-wingers the world over, and in Australia, have been wolf-whistling at the hottest governor from the coldest state”.

So what is it that continues to generate sexist news coverage in Australia of women in politics?

Posetti argues that it comes down to a convergence of sexism in Australian society and sexist power in news rooms. Or, what Michael Costello in The Australian beautifully described as the “disrespect towards women...accepted like a silent, beige wallpaper backdrop to Australian life”.

Melinda Tankard Reist, director of national women's group Women's Forum Australia, supports Posetti's statement that Australia's media has a masculinist view of power and politics.

Reist said, “I have not heard McCain, Biden or Obama being described as 'dads' although they have children. Even at press conferences where Obama's children were present, he hasn't been described as a 'dad'.”

There would appear to be a strong case for Posetti's call for more research into Australian women's news room experiences and whether female journalists challenging male values and traditional frames still risk dismissal as “hairy-chested feminists”.

Anyway, I must go; I need to count the exact number of pearls in Palin's strand necklace before the next campaign debate.