- The New South Wales Liberal party has discussed implementing gender quotas
- Acting president Kent Johns said he planned to put forward number of options
- Its understood he plans to enforce gender quotas of 40 percent for women
The New South Wales Liberal party has discussed implementing gender quotas to increase the number of women in senior positions in parliament.
A debate about enforcing gender quotas of 40 percent for women was held at the NSW Liberal Party State Executive meeting on Friday night.
At the meeting its understood party acting president Kent Johns said he planned to put forward options to increase the number of females in local, state and federal parliament.
Acting New South Wales Liberal party president Kent Johns (pictured) has discussed implementing gender quotas
These options are set to be discussed further at the next meeting of State Executive on October 27 in Newcastle, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Mr Johns also told State Executive he had previously discussed the issue of gender quotas with Federal Liberal Party President Nick Greiner.
A source present at the meeting said: ‘Johns said if we can’t boost female numbers then we are going to have to look at mandating or having a quota of 40 per cent that must be set.’
‘He also used another suggestion of having a loading of 20 per cent in preselections, where women get a 20 per cent extra votes.’
Outgoing young Liberal Party President Alex Dore opposed the gender quota plans but was shouted down by embers of State Executive Hollie Hughes
New South Wales Liberal party acting president Kent Johns discussed the issue of gender quotas with Federal Liberal Party President Nick Greiner (pictured)
The recommendations will then be presented at the Liberal Party state council in November and voted on by over 600 members.
In response to the comments, outgoing Young Liberal President Alex Dore tried to move a motion opposing gender quotas.
It’s understood he was shouted down by two female members of State Executive, Hollie Hughes and Women’s Council President Chantelle Fornari-Osmond.
Young Liberal President Alex Dore tried to move a motion opposing gender quotas but was shouted down by Women’s Council President Chantelle Fornari-Osmond (pictured)