Liberal Party Faces Pressure for Gender Quotas Amid Electoral Losses

Former Liberal MP Jenny Ware has urged the Australian Liberal Party to adopt gender quotas for candidates, asserting that the party's future electoral success hinges on better representation of women and multicultural communities. Ware, who lost her seat in Hughes during the 2025 election, described the party's failure to release an internal review of its electoral performance as "deeply embarrassing." This review, recently tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, highlighted the need for urgent reforms within the party.

The Guardian

Ware criticized the party's leadership for spending months undermining former leader Sussan Ley instead of addressing the review's findings. She emphasized that the Australian electorate has expressed dissatisfaction with the current representation within the Liberal Party, stating, “The Australian people have told us they don’t like what the Liberal party looks like.”

The Guardian

The stark contrast in gender representation between the Liberal Party and the Labor Party was underscored by Ware's observations during her recent visit to Parliament House. Currently, only five of the 28 Liberal MPs in the House of Representatives are women, a significant disparity compared to Labor's caucus, which comprises over half women. This imbalance has prompted calls for the Liberal Party to reconsider its candidate selection process.

The Guardian

Ware suggested that implementing gender quotas, even temporarily for the next two elections, could be a critical step for the party. She argued that the lack of female and diverse candidates, along with insufficient policies addressing issues like aged care and childcare, contributed to the party's electoral defeats in key metropolitan areas.

The Guardian

Ware's comments reflect a broader concern within the party regarding its approach to candidate selection and policy formulation. She noted that the Liberal Party's recent campaign strategies, particularly the unpopular decision to end work-from-home arrangements for public servants, negatively impacted voter support. Ware's assertion that the party must change its approach is echoed by her belief that the current trajectory is unsustainable for regaining government.

The Guardian

In light of the recent electoral review, the NSW Liberal state council is set to meet to elect a new executive. Ware expressed hope that this new leadership will be receptive to the idea of gender quotas. She pointed to the Labor Party's successful implementation of quotas over the past 20 years, which she claims has contributed to their electoral victories and increased majority.

The Guardian

• “The Australian people have told us they don’t like what the Liberal party looks like.” — Jenny Ware, Former Liberal MP

The Guardian

• “It’s been proven. They’ve won two successive elections now, and they’ve increased their majority. It is now time, the Liberal Party must do this as well. Otherwise we cannot get back into government.” — Jenny Ware, Former Liberal MP

The Guardian

As the NSW Liberal state council convenes, the outcomes of this meeting could significantly influence the party's future direction regarding candidate selection and policy priorities. The discussions surrounding gender quotas and representation will likely shape the party's strategy leading into upcoming elections.

The Guardian