Gender quotas revived in Liberals' soul-searching mission

Australia's Liberal Party is engaging in a significant "soul-searching mission" to modernize its approach and appeal to a broader electorate following consecutive election defeats. A discussion paper circulated to party members calls for a "reality check," emphasizing the need to connect with younger voters who have no memory of events like September 11 or the Howard government.

“

Realistically, they will have no historical memory of September 11, the Howard government [or] a world without smartphones.

The party's commission, established after the 2025 election loss, is examining how to win back voters. The paper identifies critical demographic shifts, noting a decline in support among professional women, individuals of Chinese heritage, and residents of multicultural suburban areas. The Liberals are currently trailing One Nation in many polls and have lost ground to Teal independents and Labor in urban centers.

“

We hold few seats in urban areas, core demographics continue to turn away from us without looking back, our membership is ageing, and campaign resources are stretched.

Senator James McGrath, chair of the commission, described the situation as the "political fight of our lives," citing the party's limited urban representation, declining core demographics, aging membership, and stretched resources. He stressed the need to make the Liberal Party a "fit-for-purpose political machine in the 21st century." The review includes considering measures to increase female representation, which currently stands at only 33 percent of federal parliamentarians. While past attempts at gender quotas have failed, the idea is being revived alongside other proposals to ensure candidates better reflect the community.

“

We must consider how to make the Liberal Party a fit-for-purpose political machine in the 21st century.