Gender balance in Liberal party should be based on ‘merit' not ‘quotas', says new senator Jess Collins

The Guardian

5 days ago

Newly elected Liberal senator Jess Collins has hit out at factional bosses and leakers within the party's NSW branch, insisting a push for quotas to boost female representation is the wrong approach for trying to beat Labor at the next election.
Aligned with senior frontbencher Angus Taylor and state MP and factional force Anthony Roberts, Collins was elected to the upper house on 3 May, after beating senator Hollie Hughes for preselection.
A former Lowy Institute research fellow, Collins used an email to constituents on Tuesday night to describe the Coalition's election defeat as 'devastating,' arguing more women would have been elected if campaign strategists and former leader Peter Dutton had done a better job.
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As Dutton's successor Sussan Ley pushes for reform of the party, and some moderates advocate for binding quotas, Collins criticised leakers who publicised comments from party figure Alan Stockdale suggesting Liberal women were 'sufficiently assertive' and that quotas for men might need to be considered.
'I am tired of factional hacks trying to weaponise the constitution to consolidate or hold on to power,' Collins wrote in the email seen by Guardian Australia.
'We are not going to find our way out of the wilderness if we can't change the status quo.'
She said the leaking of the comments made in a meeting of the NSW Women's Council was disappointing, explaining she had met Stockdale and the party's administrative committee with ideas on how to improve the outcomes for women.
'If he suggested women were sufficiently assertive perhaps I am to blame.'
Collins then wrote: 'Sorry, bad joke – please don't leak it!'
The only newly elected Coalition senator, she conceded she was so low on the pecking order that she has 'no one to peck'.
Ahead of a discussion about quota models in a special meeting on Wednesday night, Collins said there was more work to do to encourage women to run for parliament.
'That is the ongoing and big task ahead of us all. I was fortunate to have mentors like Anthony Roberts and Angus Taylor.
'If I can help other women like they have helped me then I'm confident we can achieve gender balance with merit in parliament. Not with quotas.'
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Party activist Charlotte Mortlock, founder of Hilma's Network which advocates for better female representation in the Liberal party, said quotas should be considered.
'I look forward to Jess' contribution to our democracy. I am sure she will do a great job, but I disagree with her on quotas.
'I am frustrated by the continual use of the word 'merit' which never seems to come up when questioning men's capabilities.'
Moderates pushing for changes to party rules have proposed gender quotas be introduced with enforceable expiry dates, in a bid to win the broadest possible support for the plan.
Proponents of quotas told Guardian Australia this week sunset provisions to remove preferential treatment for women must be included in any rule change.
Party sources say a shift in sentiment could be emerging towards a quota plan, provided the right model can be agreed to. A rule change would require 60% support in a vote of the NSW state council.
Taylor opposes quotas. He said on Wednesday he would actively campaign on 'sensible policies in line with Liberal values' to get more women into parliament.