LNP to debate female quotas as number dips to lowest since 1993

Queensland’s LNP women are set to urgently ­debate a move aimed at getting more females into parliament. But many of Queensland’s federal LNP politicians remain opposed to the concept. POLL

Queensland’s LNP women are set to urgently ­debate a move aimed at getting more females into parliament at a major annual meeting this week, with several federal MPs saying it was time to have the “conversation”.

But many of Queensland’s federal LNP politicians remain opposed to the concept of ­putting in quotas, or a rule ensuring women are put forward for a certain number or percentage of positions, arguing for a “merit-based process”.

The number of Liberal women in the lower house after the May election is the lowest since 1993 even though the overall share of females, at 38 per cent, is at a record high.

In Queensland, just 16.7 per cent of federal MPs are women (5 out of 30), with the share ­extending to 23.8 per cent when senators are included (10 out of 42) – figures unchanged since 2019.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said that the lack of women was a “serious” issue that needed to be addressed, though like many of her Queensland colleagues she remained uncertain on quotas.

“We shouldn’t be putting people in to hit a number, it should be on merit … but I do believe women should have more opportunity (to put their hand up for preselection) and in safer seats,” she said.

“We do have a women problem that we need to look at seriously and address the issues and encourage more women to join our ranks.”

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry.

Former cabinet minister and Fadden MP Stuart Robert said the discussion on quotas was one the party had to have, saying multicultural representation should also be looked at.

“We’re a membership-led party. If members support that approach, they will get every support from me,” he said.

Stuart Robert.

It’s understood an urgent motion, to be put forward at the LNP Women’s meeting on Thursday by Moncrieff branch members, will call for the party to strive for “equal representation” of men and women in the preselection process.

Should the motion pass it could be pushed forward at the LNP’s annual state convention on the weekend. Shadow frontbencher Karen Andrews’ office confirmed the MP stood by comments from 2021 that she was “open to a discussion” on quotas, and the time for the conversation was right.

LNP senator Paul Scarr said he supported setting targets, rather than quotas, pointing to the LNP-led Brisbane City Council, which has achieved gender parity without quotas.

Others including Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch, Fisher MP Andrew Wallace and Herbert MP Phillip Thompson signalled no support for quotas, but acknowledged the party needed to encourage more women to put themselves forward.

“People should be there on merit (and I would) definitely like to see more women and more diversity in parliament,” Mr Entsch said.

“But quotas present other problems … (because) it’s not just women, it’s representation from other ethnic groups, religious group … where do we stop when it comes to quotas?”

Originally published as LNP to debate female quotas as number dips to lowest since 1993