**Improving Female Representation in Parliament: Liberal MP’s Call to Action**
**Liberal MP Keith Wolahan Addresses the Need for More Women in Parliament**
In a recent appearance on ABC’s Q+A, Liberal MP Keith Wolahan highlighted the pressing issue of inadequate female representation in parliament. Wolahan emphasized that the Liberal Party is currently falling short of its target in terms of gender diversity and acknowledged the significant work that needs to be done to address this issue.
**Minister for Women Katy Gallagher Advocates for Gender Equality**
Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher, emphasized the importance of gender equality in policymaking. She pointed out that policies promoting gender equality, such as paid parental leave and increased support for single parents, lead to better outcomes for society as a whole.
**Liberal Party’s Commitment to Improving Female Representation**
Following a review of the 2022 election, the Liberal Party has been urged to set targets for recruiting, developing, and pre-selecting female candidates. This move aims to increase the number of women in parliament and create a more diverse and inclusive political landscape.
**Challenges and Progress in Candidate Selection**
Recent election outcomes have shed light on the challenges faced in candidate selection. Labor candidate Jodie Belyea’s victory in the Dunkley seat over a male Liberal candidate underscores the need for more female representation. Similarly, the selection of a male candidate over a female contender in the Cook seat has sparked discussions within the party about the importance of prioritizing gender diversity in candidate selection processes.
**Moving Forward: Embracing Change**
Keith Wolahan emphasized the Liberal Party’s readiness to preselect women but stressed the need to enhance efforts in ensuring that this occurs more frequently. While internal reviews have recommended setting targets for female candidate selection, Wolahan emphasized the importance of maintaining democratic processes within the party.
**Conclusion**
As discussions around gender equality and female representation in politics continue to gain momentum, the Liberal Party faces the challenge of bridging the gap between its current representation and the desired target. By prioritizing the recruitment and development of female candidates, the party can work towards creating a more inclusive and representative political landscape that reflects the diversity of society.
This Q+A session was recorded right after a gentleman was chosen as the candidate for Scott Morrison’s prior electorate of Cook, with a focus on Liberal MP and women’s rights.
