Victorian senator Jane Hume says the Liberal Party is facing an “existential crisis” and has called on the party to introduce a fundraising levy for all federal MPs, forcing them to contribute to a new women’s network.
To achieve the goal, the party estimates that at least 60 per cent of seats targeted by the party at each election, as well as any electorates where MPs voluntarily retire, would need to be filled with female candidates at the next three elections.
When challenged about the party’s track record, which includes lower childcare rebates, allegations of poor treatment of female staff, and dated ideas about gender roles, Hume defended Liberal policies but admitted the Coalition had been “a little bit rigid” in framing its pitch to women. As part of her push to improve her party’s gender imbalance, Hume is proposing the establishment of a women’s network to engage current and former female parliamentarians, members, staff and supporters with the aim of promoting greater female representation in parliament., Hume said the organisation would connect Liberal-leaning women with employment opportunities, claiming the election review found Liberal women were “crying out” for support.
She described the recommendation – one of 49 in the review – as “fundamental” to the party’s future success, but believes the network needs the financial support of all federal MPs, who could be forced to each contribute $1000 of fundraising money to it.“It’s going to take a lot of continued momentum, but I do feel like it’s fundamental to the other recommendations,” Hume said.
“We used to say it’s alright, they’ll grow up, they’ll come to their senses, and they’ll vote conservative eventually. But they’re not, and we can’t allow ourselves to lose generations,” she said.
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