Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams slams men-only clubs

Victoria’s Minister for Women has slammed men-only clubs after an exclusive Melbourne establishment voted to keep its membership restricted.

Victoria’s Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams has slammed men-only clubs Picture: Wayne Taylor

Victoria’s Minister for Women has slammed men-only clubs after exclusive Melbourne establishment The Australian Club voted to keep its membership restricted.

A survey conducted by the 142-year-old club asked its nearly 1500 members, made up of high-flying business leaders and prominent lawyers, whether it should broaden the criteria over who could join.

Under current rules, women are only allowed into the venue for functions and meals, and a faction within the organisation has been pushing to end this same-sex rule once and for all.

But the survey hit a dead end when a majority of members voted against changing the rules to allow female memberships.

Speaking about the decision, Gabrielle Williams said men-only clubs were “a relic of the past when women were confined to the kitchen and ­excluded from all decision-making tables”.

“That world shouldn’t exist in 2022,” the minister said.

Based on William St in Melbourne’s CBD, The Australian Club was first formed in 1878 and advertises itself as a destination for men “looking to escape the strain of modern life, and relax in an inviting and friendly atmosphere”.

It is one of multiple men’s clubs in the city, along with the Melbourne Club, the Athenaeum and the Melbourne Savage Club, with advocates regularly calling for these organisations to change their recruitment policies.

Another two CBD institutions, the Alexandra Club and ­the Lyceum Club, are exclusively for women.

In an email to members, The Australian Club Melbourne president Michael Bartlett confirmed the results of the survey but did not say how many had voted on either side of the debate.

“A clear majority of members who completed the survey have expressed the view that the membership base of the club should remain men-only,” he said.

“It is clear that the maintaining of friendships and the club’s history and traditions are the two primary reasons for becoming a member of the club, well ahead of any business, professional or work-­related consideration.”

Before the last state budget, Treasurer Tim Pallas was also critical of men’s clubs and announced the state would end $1m in land tax concessions for gender-exclusive organisations with private members.

“The days of giving elitist organisations like the Melbourne Club the luxury of a land tax concession are over,” he said at the time.