Coalition ‘losing' votes to third parties and independents
Redbridge Group Director Simon Welsh discusses the 'loss of altitude' in the Liberal primary vote as the election closely approaches.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have paused their election campaigning for today following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88.
'Where the Liberals are losing the vote, a big chunk of that we know is going to third parties and independents,' Mr Welsh told Sky News Australia.
'You would think that kind of plays in Kooyong's favour.'
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Sky News AU
9 hours ago
- Sky News AU
'An Important lesson': Tasmanian no confidence motion highlights ‘damage' that occurs when Labor and Greens align, MP claims
The decision to back a no confidence motion in Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff highlights the 'damage' that occurs when Labor gets together with the Greens, a federal MP has claimed. Tasmania is preparing to head to its second election in just 14 months after a narrow majority of MPs voted to support a no confidence motion in Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Labor's no confidence motion passed the Tasmanian lower house on a vote of 18 to 17 after Speaker Michelle O'Byrne – a Labor MP – broke with parliamentary convention to support the motion. Premier Rockliff has slammed the 'recklessness' of the motion and is asking the state's Lieutenant-Governor to call an election (Tasmanian Governor Barbara Barker is currently out of the state). Speaking to Sky News Australia on Thursday, federal Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie said the events in Tasmania were an 'important lesson' for the rest of the country. 'I think the message that the rest of the country should take is this is what happens when Labor gets together with the Greens,' she said 'We're seeing what's happening in Canberra at the moment in relation to the taxing of superannuation… now we've seen what damage they can do in Tasmania, and that's an important lesson for everyone to take away from today.' Ms McKenzie said an election was the last thing Tasmanians need. 'They've just come off the back of a federal election, and they only had their own state election 14 months ago,' she said. 'Elections are expensive, they are distracting, they are divisive, (and this comes) at a time exactly when the Tasmanian people need certainty, need strong measures to address cost of living.' The no confidence motion, put forward by Labor leader Dean Winter, was also backed by the five Greens MPs, as well as independents Craig Garland and Kristie Johnston, and Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner. Joining the Liberals in opposing the motion were independent David O'Byrne, as well as ex-Lambie Network turned independent MPs Rebekah Pentland and Miriam Beswick. Explaining her decision to back the motion, Speaker O'Byrne acknowledged there is a longstanding Westminster parliamentary convention that the speaker should use their casting vote to maintain the status quo, which would mean voting down the motion. However in an emotional speech, Ms O'Byrne said there was a tradition of speakers breaking the parliamentary convention, and that as a Labor MP she could not be expected to vote in favour of a Liberal government. "I am a member of the Labor Party. When I was elected to this position, it was made clear to this house and the public that despite no longer attending the caucus and strategy meetings of the Labor Party, that I would always vote with them,' she said. "No one in this chamber could realistically expect me to provide confidence to a Liberal government.' 'If I was not in the chair and the government had held this position, the vote would be won on the floor… the die is cast and the state is on the inexorable path to another early election.' Premier Rockliff described the events as a 'sad day' yet accepted the parliament's decision. 'In my personal opinion, this is a very sad day for Tasmania, it is a sad day as well because I put a lot on the line for this parliament,' Mr Rockliff lamented. 'It wasn't easy to get a 35-seat parliament over the line, but I believed it was the right thing to do. And I still believe it was the right thing to do. The embattled premier also took aim at the state's Labor leader for proposing the motion. 'The Leader of the Opposition has not only diminished this parliament, himself, his party. You might get rid of me today, but I'll tell you what, they are coming for you as well because you will always be known as a wrecker,' he said. 'I will also advise that if Mr Winter cannot command a majority in the place, most reluctantly, we must go to an election.' This seems all but certain since the Labor leader has ruled out an offer to form a minority government with the Greens.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Sad day' as state faces fourth election in seven years
Tasmanians are set to return to the polls with Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirming he will seek an election after losing a no-confidence motion. The Liberal leader's grip on power was lost after a marathon two-day debate in parliament finished on Thursday afternoon. The motion brought by Opposition Leader Dean Winter passed by the barest margin, with Labor speaker Michelle O'Byrne casting a deciding vote. With Governor Barbara Baker absent, Mr Rockliff spoke with her lieutenant, Christopher Shanahan, before announcing he would reconvene parliament on Tuesday to pass an emergency funding bill for public servants' wages. "It's at that point, when the bills go through both houses of parliament, that I will seek an audience with Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, to call an election," he told reporters outside Government House. "But my most highest priority right now is to ensure that we continue to fund our essential services that all Tasmanians need, deserve and care about." In a speech following the vote, an emotional Mr Rockliff said it was a "sad day". "What we have in this parliament, as I've said over the course of the last 14 months, is an eclectic mix of people from all backgrounds, which is how parliament should be, in actual fact," he told the House of Assembly. "And I wanted it to work. I believed in it and I actually still do. "We've got most of our agenda through simply because of our negotiations between each other. And that's why I'm so disappointed, if not broken-hearted, frankly." Mr Winter brought the no-confidence motion following the Liberal minority government's budget, winning the support of the Greens and three crossbenchers for an 18-17 vote. Liberal MPs yelled out "weak" as the house divided for the vote. Mr Rockliff, premier since 2022, conceded the numbers were against him but vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. He said Tasmania did not want and could not afford its fourth state election in seven years. "Be that on Mr Winter's head. This has been a selfish grab for power. I have a lot more fight in me," he said. "The only job Mr Winter is interested in is mine. And I am not going anywhere." Mr Winter, opposition leader since Labor's loss in 2024, said Tasmanians wanted to see the end of Mr Rockliff and the Liberals, who have governed under three different premiers since 2014. The 40-year-old brought the no-confidence motion following last week's budget, which forecasted deficits through the forward estimates and a debt blowout beyond $10 billion. "We are ready for an election," he said, flanked by his caucus outside a substation in Mt Wellington's foothills, a site chosen to press home arguments against privatisation. "We will not stand by and let this premier wreck our budget and sell the assets that Tasmanians have built." During the debate, Labor also lashed Mr Rockliff for delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Mr Rockliff called the motion "a selfish grab for power" but Mr Winter pushed back against claims of an opportunistic powerplay "The premier did confidence and supply agreements with the crossbench when he became premier ... and it was up to him to hold those agreements together," he said. "He couldn't do it. Those agreements have fallen apart." Tasmania went to the polls just 15 months ago in an election which returned the Liberals to power in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Some crossbenchers and the Greens have gripes with a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position it reiterated on Wednesday in writing to the AFL. But the Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk. Tasmanians are set to return to the polls with Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirming he will seek an election after losing a no-confidence motion. The Liberal leader's grip on power was lost after a marathon two-day debate in parliament finished on Thursday afternoon. The motion brought by Opposition Leader Dean Winter passed by the barest margin, with Labor speaker Michelle O'Byrne casting a deciding vote. With Governor Barbara Baker absent, Mr Rockliff spoke with her lieutenant, Christopher Shanahan, before announcing he would reconvene parliament on Tuesday to pass an emergency funding bill for public servants' wages. "It's at that point, when the bills go through both houses of parliament, that I will seek an audience with Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, to call an election," he told reporters outside Government House. "But my most highest priority right now is to ensure that we continue to fund our essential services that all Tasmanians need, deserve and care about." In a speech following the vote, an emotional Mr Rockliff said it was a "sad day". "What we have in this parliament, as I've said over the course of the last 14 months, is an eclectic mix of people from all backgrounds, which is how parliament should be, in actual fact," he told the House of Assembly. "And I wanted it to work. I believed in it and I actually still do. "We've got most of our agenda through simply because of our negotiations between each other. And that's why I'm so disappointed, if not broken-hearted, frankly." Mr Winter brought the no-confidence motion following the Liberal minority government's budget, winning the support of the Greens and three crossbenchers for an 18-17 vote. Liberal MPs yelled out "weak" as the house divided for the vote. Mr Rockliff, premier since 2022, conceded the numbers were against him but vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. He said Tasmania did not want and could not afford its fourth state election in seven years. "Be that on Mr Winter's head. This has been a selfish grab for power. I have a lot more fight in me," he said. "The only job Mr Winter is interested in is mine. And I am not going anywhere." Mr Winter, opposition leader since Labor's loss in 2024, said Tasmanians wanted to see the end of Mr Rockliff and the Liberals, who have governed under three different premiers since 2014. The 40-year-old brought the no-confidence motion following last week's budget, which forecasted deficits through the forward estimates and a debt blowout beyond $10 billion. "We are ready for an election," he said, flanked by his caucus outside a substation in Mt Wellington's foothills, a site chosen to press home arguments against privatisation. "We will not stand by and let this premier wreck our budget and sell the assets that Tasmanians have built." During the debate, Labor also lashed Mr Rockliff for delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Mr Rockliff called the motion "a selfish grab for power" but Mr Winter pushed back against claims of an opportunistic powerplay "The premier did confidence and supply agreements with the crossbench when he became premier ... and it was up to him to hold those agreements together," he said. "He couldn't do it. Those agreements have fallen apart." Tasmania went to the polls just 15 months ago in an election which returned the Liberals to power in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Some crossbenchers and the Greens have gripes with a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position it reiterated on Wednesday in writing to the AFL. But the Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk. Tasmanians are set to return to the polls with Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirming he will seek an election after losing a no-confidence motion. The Liberal leader's grip on power was lost after a marathon two-day debate in parliament finished on Thursday afternoon. The motion brought by Opposition Leader Dean Winter passed by the barest margin, with Labor speaker Michelle O'Byrne casting a deciding vote. With Governor Barbara Baker absent, Mr Rockliff spoke with her lieutenant, Christopher Shanahan, before announcing he would reconvene parliament on Tuesday to pass an emergency funding bill for public servants' wages. "It's at that point, when the bills go through both houses of parliament, that I will seek an audience with Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, to call an election," he told reporters outside Government House. "But my most highest priority right now is to ensure that we continue to fund our essential services that all Tasmanians need, deserve and care about." In a speech following the vote, an emotional Mr Rockliff said it was a "sad day". "What we have in this parliament, as I've said over the course of the last 14 months, is an eclectic mix of people from all backgrounds, which is how parliament should be, in actual fact," he told the House of Assembly. "And I wanted it to work. I believed in it and I actually still do. "We've got most of our agenda through simply because of our negotiations between each other. And that's why I'm so disappointed, if not broken-hearted, frankly." Mr Winter brought the no-confidence motion following the Liberal minority government's budget, winning the support of the Greens and three crossbenchers for an 18-17 vote. Liberal MPs yelled out "weak" as the house divided for the vote. Mr Rockliff, premier since 2022, conceded the numbers were against him but vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. He said Tasmania did not want and could not afford its fourth state election in seven years. "Be that on Mr Winter's head. This has been a selfish grab for power. I have a lot more fight in me," he said. "The only job Mr Winter is interested in is mine. And I am not going anywhere." Mr Winter, opposition leader since Labor's loss in 2024, said Tasmanians wanted to see the end of Mr Rockliff and the Liberals, who have governed under three different premiers since 2014. The 40-year-old brought the no-confidence motion following last week's budget, which forecasted deficits through the forward estimates and a debt blowout beyond $10 billion. "We are ready for an election," he said, flanked by his caucus outside a substation in Mt Wellington's foothills, a site chosen to press home arguments against privatisation. "We will not stand by and let this premier wreck our budget and sell the assets that Tasmanians have built." During the debate, Labor also lashed Mr Rockliff for delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Mr Rockliff called the motion "a selfish grab for power" but Mr Winter pushed back against claims of an opportunistic powerplay "The premier did confidence and supply agreements with the crossbench when he became premier ... and it was up to him to hold those agreements together," he said. "He couldn't do it. Those agreements have fallen apart." Tasmania went to the polls just 15 months ago in an election which returned the Liberals to power in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Some crossbenchers and the Greens have gripes with a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position it reiterated on Wednesday in writing to the AFL. But the Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk. Tasmanians are set to return to the polls with Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirming he will seek an election after losing a no-confidence motion. The Liberal leader's grip on power was lost after a marathon two-day debate in parliament finished on Thursday afternoon. The motion brought by Opposition Leader Dean Winter passed by the barest margin, with Labor speaker Michelle O'Byrne casting a deciding vote. With Governor Barbara Baker absent, Mr Rockliff spoke with her lieutenant, Christopher Shanahan, before announcing he would reconvene parliament on Tuesday to pass an emergency funding bill for public servants' wages. "It's at that point, when the bills go through both houses of parliament, that I will seek an audience with Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, to call an election," he told reporters outside Government House. "But my most highest priority right now is to ensure that we continue to fund our essential services that all Tasmanians need, deserve and care about." In a speech following the vote, an emotional Mr Rockliff said it was a "sad day". "What we have in this parliament, as I've said over the course of the last 14 months, is an eclectic mix of people from all backgrounds, which is how parliament should be, in actual fact," he told the House of Assembly. "And I wanted it to work. I believed in it and I actually still do. "We've got most of our agenda through simply because of our negotiations between each other. And that's why I'm so disappointed, if not broken-hearted, frankly." Mr Winter brought the no-confidence motion following the Liberal minority government's budget, winning the support of the Greens and three crossbenchers for an 18-17 vote. Liberal MPs yelled out "weak" as the house divided for the vote. Mr Rockliff, premier since 2022, conceded the numbers were against him but vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. He said Tasmania did not want and could not afford its fourth state election in seven years. "Be that on Mr Winter's head. This has been a selfish grab for power. I have a lot more fight in me," he said. "The only job Mr Winter is interested in is mine. And I am not going anywhere." Mr Winter, opposition leader since Labor's loss in 2024, said Tasmanians wanted to see the end of Mr Rockliff and the Liberals, who have governed under three different premiers since 2014. The 40-year-old brought the no-confidence motion following last week's budget, which forecasted deficits through the forward estimates and a debt blowout beyond $10 billion. "We are ready for an election," he said, flanked by his caucus outside a substation in Mt Wellington's foothills, a site chosen to press home arguments against privatisation. "We will not stand by and let this premier wreck our budget and sell the assets that Tasmanians have built." During the debate, Labor also lashed Mr Rockliff for delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Mr Rockliff called the motion "a selfish grab for power" but Mr Winter pushed back against claims of an opportunistic powerplay "The premier did confidence and supply agreements with the crossbench when he became premier ... and it was up to him to hold those agreements together," he said. "He couldn't do it. Those agreements have fallen apart." Tasmania went to the polls just 15 months ago in an election which returned the Liberals to power in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Some crossbenchers and the Greens have gripes with a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position it reiterated on Wednesday in writing to the AFL. But the Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
So assertive: Liberal women rebuke party elder for jibe
The Liberal Party has been warned not to allow "out-of-touch" men to dictate its future as its treatment of women returns to the spotlight. Former federal Liberal president Alan Stockdale set off a political powder keg when he told a gathering of female executives Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. As the Liberals reckon with an election drubbing partially driven by a drop in women's support, female members of the coalition have united to lash Mr Stockdale. Hilma's Network co-founder Charlotte Mortlock, whose organisation supports women in the Liberal Party, is calling for action. "Out-of-touch men continue to tarnish the party's reputation ... we can't keep allowing a disconnected membership to determine the future of the party," she told AAP on Thursday. "No one is voting for female politicians to go into parliament and not be assertive. "They don't want wallflowers in Canberra, they want intelligent, assertive women who are going to make a contribution to our democracy to improve our country." Mr Stockdale, who was treasurer under ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, made the comments at the NSW Liberal Women's Council meeting on Tuesday night, according to a source. The group were discussing the need for gender quotas when the 80-year-old said words to the effect the women in the party were so assertive special rules may be needed for men to get them preselected. He later told the Daily Telegraph he had made "a lighthearted but poorly chosen remark". Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, and her deputy Ted O'Brien hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," Ms Ley said in a statement. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." The party has tried to quietly address its "women's issue" but Ms Mortlock said it has not worked. Gender quotas for women were "long overdue" and she urged the party to overhaul its constitution and pre-selection process. "We need to do the reform internally and to be vocal and outspoken when things like this happen so we can prove to women that we aren't going into parliament to be apologists for men's bad behaviour," Ms Mortlock said. The Liberals have long been accused of placing female candidates in unwinnable positions and their policies have recently failed to convince female voters. This was laid bare in May when the party was dealt its worst-ever federal election loss, after a campaign that including the announcement of a policy requiring public servants to stop working from home. That was blamed for alienating women voters, many of whom use the arrangement to balance their jobs with child care and other duties. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told Mr Stockdale to "read the room" and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the party had lost its way. The NSW division of the Liberals, in particular, has been in turmoil after it failed to nominate more than 140 candidates for the statewide local government elections in September. The federal Liberals took over and appointed three figures, including Mr Stockdale and another Victorian, to oversee the party's state affairs. Mr Albanese claimed this triumvirate had been put in charge as a result of former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and the desire of the party's hard right faction to banish the historically moderate leadership. During question time in NSW parliament, Labor Premier Chris Minns noted the shadow ministry, composed of 10 women and 16 men, was "like a men's shed". "They're going to have to install urinals," he said. The Liberal Party has been warned not to allow "out-of-touch" men to dictate its future as its treatment of women returns to the spotlight. Former federal Liberal president Alan Stockdale set off a political powder keg when he told a gathering of female executives Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. As the Liberals reckon with an election drubbing partially driven by a drop in women's support, female members of the coalition have united to lash Mr Stockdale. Hilma's Network co-founder Charlotte Mortlock, whose organisation supports women in the Liberal Party, is calling for action. "Out-of-touch men continue to tarnish the party's reputation ... we can't keep allowing a disconnected membership to determine the future of the party," she told AAP on Thursday. "No one is voting for female politicians to go into parliament and not be assertive. "They don't want wallflowers in Canberra, they want intelligent, assertive women who are going to make a contribution to our democracy to improve our country." Mr Stockdale, who was treasurer under ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, made the comments at the NSW Liberal Women's Council meeting on Tuesday night, according to a source. The group were discussing the need for gender quotas when the 80-year-old said words to the effect the women in the party were so assertive special rules may be needed for men to get them preselected. He later told the Daily Telegraph he had made "a lighthearted but poorly chosen remark". Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, and her deputy Ted O'Brien hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," Ms Ley said in a statement. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." The party has tried to quietly address its "women's issue" but Ms Mortlock said it has not worked. Gender quotas for women were "long overdue" and she urged the party to overhaul its constitution and pre-selection process. "We need to do the reform internally and to be vocal and outspoken when things like this happen so we can prove to women that we aren't going into parliament to be apologists for men's bad behaviour," Ms Mortlock said. The Liberals have long been accused of placing female candidates in unwinnable positions and their policies have recently failed to convince female voters. This was laid bare in May when the party was dealt its worst-ever federal election loss, after a campaign that including the announcement of a policy requiring public servants to stop working from home. That was blamed for alienating women voters, many of whom use the arrangement to balance their jobs with child care and other duties. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told Mr Stockdale to "read the room" and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the party had lost its way. The NSW division of the Liberals, in particular, has been in turmoil after it failed to nominate more than 140 candidates for the statewide local government elections in September. The federal Liberals took over and appointed three figures, including Mr Stockdale and another Victorian, to oversee the party's state affairs. Mr Albanese claimed this triumvirate had been put in charge as a result of former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and the desire of the party's hard right faction to banish the historically moderate leadership. During question time in NSW parliament, Labor Premier Chris Minns noted the shadow ministry, composed of 10 women and 16 men, was "like a men's shed". "They're going to have to install urinals," he said. The Liberal Party has been warned not to allow "out-of-touch" men to dictate its future as its treatment of women returns to the spotlight. Former federal Liberal president Alan Stockdale set off a political powder keg when he told a gathering of female executives Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. As the Liberals reckon with an election drubbing partially driven by a drop in women's support, female members of the coalition have united to lash Mr Stockdale. Hilma's Network co-founder Charlotte Mortlock, whose organisation supports women in the Liberal Party, is calling for action. "Out-of-touch men continue to tarnish the party's reputation ... we can't keep allowing a disconnected membership to determine the future of the party," she told AAP on Thursday. "No one is voting for female politicians to go into parliament and not be assertive. "They don't want wallflowers in Canberra, they want intelligent, assertive women who are going to make a contribution to our democracy to improve our country." Mr Stockdale, who was treasurer under ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, made the comments at the NSW Liberal Women's Council meeting on Tuesday night, according to a source. The group were discussing the need for gender quotas when the 80-year-old said words to the effect the women in the party were so assertive special rules may be needed for men to get them preselected. He later told the Daily Telegraph he had made "a lighthearted but poorly chosen remark". Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, and her deputy Ted O'Brien hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," Ms Ley said in a statement. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." The party has tried to quietly address its "women's issue" but Ms Mortlock said it has not worked. Gender quotas for women were "long overdue" and she urged the party to overhaul its constitution and pre-selection process. "We need to do the reform internally and to be vocal and outspoken when things like this happen so we can prove to women that we aren't going into parliament to be apologists for men's bad behaviour," Ms Mortlock said. The Liberals have long been accused of placing female candidates in unwinnable positions and their policies have recently failed to convince female voters. This was laid bare in May when the party was dealt its worst-ever federal election loss, after a campaign that including the announcement of a policy requiring public servants to stop working from home. That was blamed for alienating women voters, many of whom use the arrangement to balance their jobs with child care and other duties. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told Mr Stockdale to "read the room" and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the party had lost its way. The NSW division of the Liberals, in particular, has been in turmoil after it failed to nominate more than 140 candidates for the statewide local government elections in September. The federal Liberals took over and appointed three figures, including Mr Stockdale and another Victorian, to oversee the party's state affairs. Mr Albanese claimed this triumvirate had been put in charge as a result of former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and the desire of the party's hard right faction to banish the historically moderate leadership. During question time in NSW parliament, Labor Premier Chris Minns noted the shadow ministry, composed of 10 women and 16 men, was "like a men's shed". "They're going to have to install urinals," he said. The Liberal Party has been warned not to allow "out-of-touch" men to dictate its future as its treatment of women returns to the spotlight. Former federal Liberal president Alan Stockdale set off a political powder keg when he told a gathering of female executives Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. As the Liberals reckon with an election drubbing partially driven by a drop in women's support, female members of the coalition have united to lash Mr Stockdale. Hilma's Network co-founder Charlotte Mortlock, whose organisation supports women in the Liberal Party, is calling for action. "Out-of-touch men continue to tarnish the party's reputation ... we can't keep allowing a disconnected membership to determine the future of the party," she told AAP on Thursday. "No one is voting for female politicians to go into parliament and not be assertive. "They don't want wallflowers in Canberra, they want intelligent, assertive women who are going to make a contribution to our democracy to improve our country." Mr Stockdale, who was treasurer under ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, made the comments at the NSW Liberal Women's Council meeting on Tuesday night, according to a source. The group were discussing the need for gender quotas when the 80-year-old said words to the effect the women in the party were so assertive special rules may be needed for men to get them preselected. He later told the Daily Telegraph he had made "a lighthearted but poorly chosen remark". Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, and her deputy Ted O'Brien hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," Ms Ley said in a statement. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." The party has tried to quietly address its "women's issue" but Ms Mortlock said it has not worked. Gender quotas for women were "long overdue" and she urged the party to overhaul its constitution and pre-selection process. "We need to do the reform internally and to be vocal and outspoken when things like this happen so we can prove to women that we aren't going into parliament to be apologists for men's bad behaviour," Ms Mortlock said. The Liberals have long been accused of placing female candidates in unwinnable positions and their policies have recently failed to convince female voters. This was laid bare in May when the party was dealt its worst-ever federal election loss, after a campaign that including the announcement of a policy requiring public servants to stop working from home. That was blamed for alienating women voters, many of whom use the arrangement to balance their jobs with child care and other duties. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told Mr Stockdale to "read the room" and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the party had lost its way. The NSW division of the Liberals, in particular, has been in turmoil after it failed to nominate more than 140 candidates for the statewide local government elections in September. The federal Liberals took over and appointed three figures, including Mr Stockdale and another Victorian, to oversee the party's state affairs. Mr Albanese claimed this triumvirate had been put in charge as a result of former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and the desire of the party's hard right faction to banish the historically moderate leadership. During question time in NSW parliament, Labor Premier Chris Minns noted the shadow ministry, composed of 10 women and 16 men, was "like a men's shed". "They're going to have to install urinals," he said.
