Sussan Ley’s challenge to the Liberal Party’s “old guard” that the party boost its ranks of female MPs or continue its rapid decline as a political force, has won the support of key party figures, but there is disagreement over whether it should be enforced.

Outlining a blueprint to rebuild the party’s shattered fortunes, the opposition leader advocated for quotas or another mechanism, as she took issue with the party’s culture which has resulted in a desertion by female voters over the past two federal elections, and left it with just 19 women among its 53 MPs and senators.