‘A big boys’ club’: senior Liberal women fight to solve the party’s gender problem (9 Mar 2024)
Article summary: The focus of this article is on the ongoing struggle within the Liberal Party to address its gender imbalance. Senior Liberal women are pushing for the preselection of more female candidates as the party's representation of women hits decade lows. The article highlights the preselection of Simon Kennedy in the safe Liberal seat of Cook as a catalyst for renewed efforts to take gender targets seriously within the party. This comes amid concerns as male candidates are chosen for preselection in several seats previously held or contested by Liberal women, prompting discussions on the necessity of gender quotas.
The Liberal Party, with just nine women in the lower house and ten in the Senate, faces criticism for not meeting its 50-50 gender target by 2026. Factional in-fighting and resistance from the party's conservative old guard, including figures like former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Angus Taylor, are cited as obstacles to achieving gender parity. The article suggests that the party's failure to promote women could further diminish its representation, especially with the retirement of prominent female ministers.
Kate Chaney, elected as a community "teal" independent for the Western Australian seat of Curtin in 2022, is mentioned as an example of the broader issue. Coming from a family with a history of Liberal MPs, Chaney chose to run independently due to the Liberal Party's lack of appeal and its perception as a "big boys’ club." Her decision underscores the challenges women face within the party and the need for significant cultural and structural changes to ensure gender parity.
The article concludes with a call for the Liberal Party to embrace gender reform, highlighting the urgency of implementing meaningful change to avoid permanent opposition status. The emphasis on Kate Chaney's perspective provides a personal insight into the challenges and motivations of women who seek to contribute to Australian politics outside the traditional party structures.
