Grubby. That is probably the best word to describe a magazine's publication of paparazzi-style shots of Therese Rein as she exercised in a private gymnasium. Rein a self-made millionaire and mother of three who happens to be married to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had a right to expect privacy.
But Woman's Day gave a blow-by-blow description of her workout complete with the type of photographs usually reserved for troubled starlets, high-profile actors and the like. It appears the shots of Rein were taken through a window.
It's an understatement to suggest the magazine broke an unwritten rule. It was smashed, shattered.
Some readers have expressed their outrage on the magazine's website. Here is a selection. ''Woman's Day equals shameful pack of immoral losers.'' ''Get out of the gutter before the magazine is washed down the sewer.'' ''This is unmitigated invasion of privacy.'' ''I am disgusted that these photos were published by a respected Australian magazine.''
The magazine reports Rein ''is fast becoming the first lady of health and fitness after dropping an incredible 25kg in six months''.
''Trainer Al Forsyth confirms that he tailor-made a special exercise program for Therese, designed to help her lose weight after she suffered deeply hurtful criticism for what was often referred to as her frumpy style''.
Rein who should search for a more discrete trainer is hardly the first high-profile woman to be ridiculed by the self-appointed arbiters on fashion.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has been criticised for her hairstyle as well as her empty fruit bowl. Former Democrats leader Cheryl Kernot was the target of scorn after donning a red dress and boa for a magazine shoot when she defected to Labor. In these cases and many more, female politicians have received shabby treatment. But Rein has never sought public office.
Rudd has rightly highlighted this distinction as he revealed Rein was in training to climb Tanzania's Mt Kilimanjaro with their son Nicholas.
''I put up my hand to go into public life,'' he said. ''I'm the bloke who gets elected and therefore whatever scrutiny I get, that's all fair cop, fair game. That's as it should be. I think others would have different views in terms of other members of your family, but she's one tough lady.''
Rudd believed ''most women in Australia would feel that they should have some privacy when they go to the gym''.
Too right. No woman wearing her comfortable gym clothes and working up a sweat wants someone to surreptitiously take photographs and share them with millions of people.
Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull agreed, saying it was a ''very unfortunate invasion of privacy''.
''She does a lot of work, public work, in supporting her husband as Prime Minister,'' he said. ''All of us know it is very hard work being married to a politician. So she does that work and she's entitled to her own privacy.''
The magazine's actions were also condemned by Minister for the Status of Women Tanya Plibersek who goes to the gym when time permits. ''The last thing in the world I would want is to be photographed in that state, that's pretty unfair,'' Plibersek said. ''No, no and she is not the Prime Minister, she is married to the Prime Minister and there's generally been an understanding in Australian politics that you try and leave people's families out of this. It's not ... open season on public figures' families. That's not fair.''
It is a vastly different situation overseas where there is a fixation on France's first lady former supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and US First Lady Michelle Obama whose toned arms receive an inordinate amount of attention.
In this country, partners of prime ministers are usually observed from a polite distance. Hazel Hawke, Anita Keating and Janette Howard had attracted scrutiny when they made forays into the public debate, championed causes and helped their husbands make decisions. That's fair game, along with their use of taxpayers' money, potential conflicts of interest and any problems with the law.
When prime ministers' wives make fashion faux pas or triumphs on the public stage, there will be stories. These don't serve the public interest, but sections of the public are interested in them as displayed by the popularity of trashy magazines and makeover shows.
And this is not an argument about media censorship because Woman's Day could have published the same story without the gratuitous invasion of Rein's privacy.
There are plenty of ''before'' and ''after'' shots taken during Rein's many public appearances in the past 18 months.
A separate question is whether the constant focus on a woman's appearance undervalues her other achievements.
Woman's Day editor Fiona Connolly has defended the publication.
''The photos show Ms Rein happily working out, suitably attired, and looking very trim after shedding 25kg,'' she said in a statement.
''Woman's Day made multiple requests to the Prime Minister's office for an interview with Ms Rein before going to press, all of which were refused. We say well done to Ms Rein. Her actions set a positive example to all of us.''
But the undertone is this is the price paid for refusing to cooperate with the magazine. Crikey wants to turn the tables. ''We are keen to learn more about Fiona Connolly, a woman now rewriting the by-laws and standards of Australian magazine publishing. Send us your candid photographs, schoolyard memories, late-night nightclub sightings anything really. We'll give them the attention they deserve,'' the online newsletter stated.
Woman's Day's publication of these paparazzi-style shots of Therese Rein should be treated with the respect it deserves none.
Danielle Cronin is Political Correspondent.
danielle.cronin@ canberratimes.com.au
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