Liberal MP Angus Taylor Rejects Gender Quotas, Cites Democracy Concerns

The Liberal Party in Australia remains deeply divided over the introduction of gender quotas to increase female representation, with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley showing openness to the idea, while Shadow Defence Minister Angus Taylor strongly opposes it. Taylor argues that quotas subvert democratic processes and advocates instead for mentoring, recruitment, and support as more appropriate methods to attract talented women to the party. Despite three decades of Labor Party quotas resulting in women comprising the majority in both parliamentary houses, many within the Liberal Party view such measures as radical and damaging to democracy. The Liberals currently have only six women among 28 MPs, prompting calls for significant change following a poor 2025 election performance attributed to the party's 'woman problem.' Conservatives, including former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, oppose quotas on the grounds that they conflict with the party's meritocratic values, while moderates push for reforms to address systemic barriers faced by female candidates. The debate reflects broader tensions within the party between its conservative and moderate factions about how best to improve gender equity without compromising internal democratic principles.