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Debate Continues Around Parliamentary Quotas

by | Wed, Mar 24 2021

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Senior female Liberal MPs believe a “turning point” has been reached, to welcome more women into the organisation.

The Prime Minister is open to the idea of quotas, which would be a similar approach to Labor.

It would gradually see men and women each make up around 50 per cent representation at a federal level.

Government Minister Sussan Ley says it’s a further step in the right direction.

“I want to say we did very well at the last election against all expectations,” she’s told Nine.

“Many women came into the parliament as backbenchers; they’re making incredibly positive contributions from the backbench – so naturally the talk of quotas died down a little. We’ve done very well through the normal representative process.”

When questioned about a percentage number for a quota,  Ms Ley says she thinks 40 per cent is a good target, and that “there is a rule around the boardroom table that 30 per cent is a voice”.

It comes amid a push to change the culture at Parliament House in the wake of a string of sexual misconduct allegations.

 

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