NSW Liberal leader says women and young people have a ‘seat at the table’ after election loss

A Liberal leader in one Australian state says women and young people have a “seat at the table” after the bruising federal election loss.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman says women and young people have a “seat at the table” in the state’s Liberal branch amid calls to end federal intervention in the party following their bruising loss at last month’s election.

Liberal leader Sussan Ley confirmed earlier this month the federal takeover of the NSW division would continue until at least March 2026 but without ex-Victorian Liberal treasurer Alan Stockdale and ex-senator Richard Alston.

Mr Stockdale stirred controversy when he told the NSW Liberal Women’s Council in early June that “women are sufficiently assertive now that we should be giving some thought to whether we need to protect men’s involvement”.

NSW Opposition Mark Speakman says women and young people have ‘seat at the table’ in the state’s Liberal branch. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The comments sparked quick condemnation from Ms Ley as well as Queensland and NSW members of the Liberal Party whose NSW branch is often seen as being more moderate, including on issues such as women’s involvement.

In an exclusive interview, Mr Speakman said the NSW Liberal Party had made “great strides” in recent years in increasing women’s representation when asked whether the branch should act as a “north star” to its federal counterpart.

“I’m not going to advise the federal branch whether or not they should have quotas, that’s a matter for the feds, but in NSW our female representation in parliament has improved dramatically in recent years.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is determined to get more women into the Liberal Party ranks. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Women now represent 45 per cent of our frontbench, they represent 45 per cent of our party room. We can always do better, but we have made great strides in getting female representation in the last few years.”

Mr Speakman also praised the party’s investment in young people.

“We’ve got eight MPs who are under 40,” he said.

“About half of those are under 35. Labor have no MPs under 35 at all.

“It’s important that young people have a seat at the table as well.

Richard Alston (left) and Alan Stockdale (right) will no longer handle the federal takeover of the NSW branch.

“If their voice is unheard at the table, often they are overlooked.”

The Liberal Party has faced immense scrutiny over the party’s relationship with women following the 2025 federal election.

Labor seized on multiple scandals during the campaign, including claims then opposition leader Peter Dutton was out of touch with women due to his plans to reform work-from-home rights and position on women in the military.

Ms Ley said she was determined to get more women into the Liberal Party ranks and pushed back against condemnation of gender quotas from Liberal leadership rival Angus Taylor and former prime minister Tony Abbott.