‘Like a men’s shed’: NSW Premier Chris Minns lashes Liberals after Alan Stockdale’s comments on women

The controversial remarks of a senior Victorian Liberal in relation to female involvement in the party have come under fire.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has unleashed on the state’s Liberal Party, claiming the parliament will have to “install a urinal next” following controversial comments about the role of women in the opposition.

Former Liberal Party president Alan Stockdale, joined by former senator Richard Alston, told the NSW Liberal Women’s Council that “women are sufficiently assertive now” and “that we should be giving some thought to whether we need to protect men’s involvement”.

IT’s also understood Mr Stockdale mentioned in the meeting that “reverse quotas” would be needed for men, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Quoting the report during question time on Thursday, Mr Minns asked the chamber: “What do you reckon, boys? Can we squeeze another bloke in (over there)?

“Look at them all, It’s like a men’s shed. It’s like a men’s shed up there, Mr Speaker.

“We’re going to have to install a urinal next.”

Administrative committee members Richard Alston (left) and Alan Stockdale as they appeared in the online meeting on Tuesday night. Image: supplied

Mr Minns’ remarks were met with laughter from the Labor caucus but jeers from the Coalition.

Miranda MP Eleni Petinos shot back: “Mr Speaker, we don’t need the Premier’s assistance on this side of the House.”

Criticism over Mr Stockdale’s comments didn’t end there, with Police Minister Yasmin Catley using an announcement on the $46m new Nemesis police boat later in the debate to launch into her opponents over the issue.

“Mr Speaker, when I think about the Nemesis, it reminded me of what the nemesis of the Liberal Party is. It’s women, it’s women,” Ms Catley said.

“Yesterday, the leader of the opposition got up after question time and called me hysterical. Not once but twice.”

Ms Catley traded barbs with NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman on Wednesday over illicit tobacco in the state and the use of police.

“Mr Speaker, if a man came in here with a strong view about you, deliberately bagging the cops and trying to confuse the public about who is responsible for the cracking down on illicit tobacco, would you have used that language? Would you have called me hysterical?

“No, it’s a sexist word used by a sexist man.”

NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley accused the Opposition Leader of using a ‘sexist remark’. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie and former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk earlier hit back at Mr Stockdale’s “out of touch” comments.

When asked about the remarks by Today’s Karl Stefanovic, Senator McKenzie said it was simply “shocking”.

“I hope women are assertive, as they represent their communities, they fight for the future of their countries, and I think Anastasia and I’ll be on a unity ticket on this,” Senator McKenzie said on Thursday morning.

“It was in my Senate room where 80 per cent of the senators are women, and they were all in shadow cabinet, and the guys weren’t.

“I think it’s time for Alan to head back to the Melbourne club … and chat with the old boys about what went wrong.”

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said her Senate room was 80 per cent women. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Stefanovic asked Ms Palaszczuk whether there should instead be a quota on “crusty old codgers”, adding “if your eyebrows have elbows, then is it time to be euthanised from the party?”

The former Queensland premier said she couldn’t believe what had been said.

“I can’t believe this. I mean, you finally got one step forward for the Liberal Party with Sussan Ley being elected, and it’s three steps backwards with these comments,” she added.

“These are not appropriate in this day and age.

“Honestly, the Liberal Party needs a good, hard look at themselves and especially the men.

“I mean, there are good women coming through all different political parties, and this guy is out of touch – and there’s no room for this in today’s modern society.”

former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said men in the Liberal Party needed ‘a good, hard look at themselves’. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

The Liberals’ disastrous 2025 federal election campaign pointed to the party’s continuing problems with women.

Redbridge polling showed just 32 per cent of female voters in key outer suburban and regional electorates would vote for the Coalition, while a 2022 Liberal election review found that the majority of women preferred Labor in all age segments.

Support for the Liberals was the weakest among women aged 18-34.

Originally published as ‘Like a men’s shed’: NSW Premier Chris Minns lashes Liberals after Alan Stockdale’s comments on women