Liberals’ women’s taskforce to consult externally before presenting action plan to leader David Speirs

A high-profile name has joined a Liberal taskforce charged with preparing an action plan of recommendations to boost women’s engagement in the party.

Former opposition leader Isobel Redmond has joined a Liberal taskforce that will prepare an action plan of recommendations in a bid to boost women’s engagement in the party.

The group has met twice since Opposition Leader David Speirs announced its formation following the preselection of Jack Batty for the Bragg by-election, which left just two Liberal women in the lower house of state parliament.

As well as Ms Redmond, who was the first female leader of any major party in South Australia, members include state MPs Nicola Centofanti, Jing Lee, Michelle Lensink, Laura Curran and Penny Pratt, and new federal senator Kerrynne Liddle.

Isobel Redmond is involved in the women’s taskforce. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Others involved are former MPs Carolyn Power, Caroline Schaefer, Trish Worth, as well as party vice-president Rose Miller and Boothby preselection contender Leah Blyth.

Chelsey Potter, a former staffer who considered running as an independent in the Bragg to ensure female representation, has also agreed to take part.

Ms Centofanti, who has been appointed chair of the taskforce, said she believed the group would be able to bridge factional divides.

“It’s incredible to have all of these high-profile women in the one room working towards the one goal and there really is a feel in this room for change,” she said.

“I think all of the women sitting around the table are really working together on this to enact change.”

She said it would consult externally on how to recruit women and improve their engagement, and to gauge perceptions of the party.

Women’s taskforce members, from left: Carolyn Power, Leah Blyth, Nicola Centofanti, Penny Pratt, Jing Lee, Laura Curran, Chelsey Potter, Michelle Lensink and Trish Worth. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“(We’re) asking external stakeholders how they feel we can better engage,” she said.

“And perhaps looking at obstacles that they feel may deter female members from pursuing a political career within the Liberal party.”

There will also be an internal submission process before an action plan is prepared and submitted to Mr Speirs, who will remain independent of the process until that point.

Mr Speirs will then decide whether to implement the recommendations, but Ms Centofanti said she has confidence the group’s work will be “a catalyst for change”.

There is currently no timeline on when the group will submit its final action plan, and Ms Centofanti stressed meaningful change will take time.

“We’re wanting to make this an efficient process, from a task force point of view, we don’t want this to drag on in terms of the length of time for submissions,” she said.

“But equally we do want to ensure that all of the stakeholders feel like they’re getting their voice and they’re being heard.”

In the case of the Bragg by-election, Mr Speirs and other senior moderates pushed for a female candidate to replace former deputy premier and attorney-general Vickie Chapman in the safe Liberal seat.

However, the party’s democratic processes meant the decision was left in the hands of the Bragg preselectors, who overwhelmingly endorsed Mr Batty.

Originally published as Liberals’ women’s taskforce to consult externally before presenting action plan to leader David Speirs