Ex-Liberal MP Jenny Ware has warned that her party must introduce gender quotas for candidates if it hopes to win future elections. According to Ware, the Liberal Party is at a “crisis point” and cannot be competitive unless it selects candidates who better reflect the diversity of modern Australia.
Electoral Wipeout Sparks Call for Change
Ware, who lost her seat of Hughes in the 2025 election, criticized the party’s failure to act on its internal review following the defeat. She described it as “deeply embarrassing” that the party executive had not released its findings before they were tabled in parliament by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The review reportedly highlighted an urgent need for the party to update its candidate selection and engagement strategies to better reflect the electorate.
Internal Struggles Hinder Progress
Ware accused some members of the party room of wasting ten months destabilizing former leader Sussan Ley instead of focusing on actionable reforms. She stressed that these internal disputes distracted from the pressing need to implement policy changes that could help the party regain trust and appeal.
Importance of Diversity and Inclusion
According to Ware, improving gender representation is just the beginning. The party also needs to engage more effectively with women and multicultural communities across Australia.
She warned that without these changes, the Liberal Party risks continued electoral losses and an inability to regain government.
Why Gender Quotas Could Matter
Gender quotas for political candidates have been used in several countries to ensure parties reflect the demographic makeup of their constituencies. Ware argues that without such measures, the party will continue to struggle in appealing to a broader voter base, particularly women and younger Australians who prioritize representation and diversity.
The Road Ahead
Ware’s call for quotas signals growing pressure on the Liberal Party to modernize its policies and candidate selection processes. Party leaders will need to balance internal politics with the urgency of electoral reform if they hope to remain competitive in upcoming elections.
The debate over gender quotas is expected to intensify in the coming months as the party evaluates strategies to rebuild its image and electoral support.
