Under this model, the Party would require that, in certain winnable seats (for example, seats held by Labor or Independents under a certain margin, or where there an incumbent member has announced their retirement), half the candidates contesting preselections are women OR at least two female candidates in preselections with five or more candidates.

By ensuring half the candidates standing for preselection are women, the goal would be to ensure that half the new Liberal candidates in winnable seats are women.

If a preselection can’t proceed because there is not a balance of women contesting, the Federal Executive would also have the ability to select a female candidate with a two thirds majority.

Arguments for

This model would put collective responsibility on Liberals in local electorates and across the organisation to identify and support more women, encouraging them to stand for preselection.

It addresses an issue some Liberal women have nominated as an obstacle – the encouragement and confidence to put themselves forward.

It focuses on encouraging more Liberal women to be involved at the start, so that more Liberal women can selected at the end.

It encourages and ensures more women are “in it to win it” and is consistent with the Liberal value of equality of opportunity.

The reform would not apply to electorates held by existing Liberal members, so would not create instability by upending the existing parliamentary team. It focuses on ensuring a gender balance among new representatives, so that the Party can make continued progress.

Arguments Against

It doesn’t guarantee more women are selected – only greater likelihood, because more are contesting.

It could slow down some candidate selections, because it may take time to ensure half the field are women in some cases. (By-elections could possibly be exempted for this process, given the need for quick and decisive selections.)