Source : Perth Now news
A prominent advocate for greater representation of women in the Liberals has quit the party just days after federal MPs rolled Sussan Ley, the party’s first female leader.
Former journalist Charlotte Mortlock, who founded the Liberal women’s advocacy group Hilma’s Network, wrote in an online statement that “recent events” had led to her decision.
“I have decided the time has come for me to step down as executive director of Hilma’s Network and I have also relinquished my Liberal Party membership,” she said on Sunday.
“I founded Hilma’s four years ago and am incredibly proud of all we have achieved, mainly the women we supported across the country throughout preselections and elections.
“From inception, we quickly grew to multiple sates hosting events that challenged the Party to evolve.“Due to recent events, I have decided there are other ways I can support women and Australia.”
Aside from Ms Ley’s ousting, Ms Mortlock’s announcement also came in the wake of a decision by the NSW Liberals to ditch a proposed vote on gender quotas.
Ms Mortlock had helped draft the reform which would have required at least 40 per cent of lower house candidates to be women.
The loss of Ms Ley, who has announced she will resign from parliament, reduces the number of female Liberal MPs currently serving in the House of Representatives to five – Mary Aldred, Melissa Price, Melissa McIntosh, Angie Bell and Zoe McKenzie.
Comments on Ms Mortlock’s social media post expressed support for her decision, including from Liberal moderate Maria Kovacic, who is also a public supporter of Ms Ley. Senator Kovacic wrote: “You will be missed. Thank you for all that you have done, and for all that you tried to do.”
On Sunday, Ms Mortlock’s exit was described as a loss by new deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume.
“Charlotte has been a great contributor and a great voice for women that hold Liberal values,” Senator Hume told Insiders.
“And I think that this is a really sad moment.”
Senator Hume said she hoped Hilma’s Network would continue to its advocacy under new leadership.
“Sometimes, when you have a big personality like Charlotte at the helm of an organisation that’s pushing for change within a party, and that person leaves or moves on, the organisation that she had built sometimes disappears with her,” Senator Hume said.
“I hope that is not the case, because I think that there is real opportunity for women’s voices in the Liberal Party, and it’s on us to make sure that we demonstrate to Australian women that the Liberal Party is the place for them, that we represent their hopes, their dreams and their aspirations.
“That’s certainly what my aim will be over the next coming weeks, months, years, and that’s certainly what we’re going to take to the next election.”
