Particle.news
Download on the App Store
7 ARTICLES
·
3w ago

Liberal Party Debates Sunset Gender Quotas to Address Record Low Female MPs

A NSW women’s council vote next week will determine if binding gender reforms with sunset clauses can secure the 60% support needed for party rule changes

Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • The new House of Representatives will include just six Liberal women, marking the party’s lowest female representation since the Howard era.
  • The NSW Liberal Women’s Council is set to vote on introducing binding gender quotas with enforceable sunset clauses to boost the number of female candidates.
  • Leader Sussan Ley has signalled she will consider rule changes, including quotas, if they win endorsement from the party’s state divisions under its federated model.
  • High-profile opponents such as Angus Taylor, Tony Abbott and Senator Jess Collins argue quotas could undermine merit-based preselections and favour enhanced mentoring and recruitment strategies instead.
  • Shadow minister Melissa McIntosh has urged a comprehensive cultural and structural overhaul, proposing expert-led redesign of party systems to support women beyond temporary quota measures.