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Women in politics: sex discrimination commissioner open to idea of quotas Women in politics: sex discrimination commissioner open to idea of quotas
(4 months later)
Political parties should consider introducing hard quotas to get more women through the ranks if targets fail to do the job, according to the sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins.Political parties should consider introducing hard quotas to get more women through the ranks if targets fail to do the job, according to the sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins.
She outlined her priorities for the new posting, which she started only on Monday, to journalists at the National Press Club on Wednesday.She outlined her priorities for the new posting, which she started only on Monday, to journalists at the National Press Club on Wednesday.
Among her top priorities were reducing rates of violence against women, closing the gender pay gap and encouraging more women in leadership positions.Among her top priorities were reducing rates of violence against women, closing the gender pay gap and encouraging more women in leadership positions.
Jenkins was receptive to the idea of quotas for women in politics.Jenkins was receptive to the idea of quotas for women in politics.
“It’s not for lack of good women that we haven’t seen them come through the system,” she said. “Targets really focus the mind on getting women through and if targets don’t work, then quotas may well do that.”“It’s not for lack of good women that we haven’t seen them come through the system,” she said. “Targets really focus the mind on getting women through and if targets don’t work, then quotas may well do that.”
Related: Bill Shorten aims for Australian republic and half Labor MPs women by 2025
At its national conference in July, Labor pledged to work towards a target of 50-50 representation for parliamentarians by 2025.At its national conference in July, Labor pledged to work towards a target of 50-50 representation for parliamentarians by 2025.
Shortly afterwards, the minister for women, Michaelia Cash, indicated that she would be open to implementing targets in the Liberal party. She stepped back from comments from her party colleague, Sharman Stone, who wanted hard quotas instead.Shortly afterwards, the minister for women, Michaelia Cash, indicated that she would be open to implementing targets in the Liberal party. She stepped back from comments from her party colleague, Sharman Stone, who wanted hard quotas instead.
All four main parties – Liberal, Labor, Nationals and Greens – have women deputy leaders, and Australia now has its first female foreign minister and defence minister.All four main parties – Liberal, Labor, Nationals and Greens – have women deputy leaders, and Australia now has its first female foreign minister and defence minister.
Despite the prevalence of high-ranking women, the overall number of women in federal parliament remains low – a little more than 30%.Despite the prevalence of high-ranking women, the overall number of women in federal parliament remains low – a little more than 30%.
Australia barely scrapes into the top 50 countries with female representation in the lower house – the chamber that forms government – according to data released by the World Bank – even Afghanistan ranks higher.Australia barely scrapes into the top 50 countries with female representation in the lower house – the chamber that forms government – according to data released by the World Bank – even Afghanistan ranks higher.
Related: Michaelia Cash: Liberal party should look at targets to boost women in ranks
Women are underrepresented in Australian boardrooms, too, as just 22.7% of the ASX 200 companies have female directors.Women are underrepresented in Australian boardrooms, too, as just 22.7% of the ASX 200 companies have female directors.
Jenkins said stereotypes around gender roles and structural problems that kept women from reaching top positions needed to be challenged.Jenkins said stereotypes around gender roles and structural problems that kept women from reaching top positions needed to be challenged.
“Modern workplaces and modern households need to change to match the needs of our current community where both men and women want an active role in parents as well as decent work,” she said.“Modern workplaces and modern households need to change to match the needs of our current community where both men and women want an active role in parents as well as decent work,” she said.
“We still live in a community that has a dominant narrative of a white heteronormative family with defined roles and stereotypes for men and women and what they do at home and at work. Yet that doesn’t reflect our lived experiences, and it certainly is not meeting our national expectations.”“We still live in a community that has a dominant narrative of a white heteronormative family with defined roles and stereotypes for men and women and what they do at home and at work. Yet that doesn’t reflect our lived experiences, and it certainly is not meeting our national expectations.”
Speaking to bureaucrats in Parliament House on Wednesday, the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said targets for women would keep the public service accountable.Speaking to bureaucrats in Parliament House on Wednesday, the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said targets for women would keep the public service accountable.
“I’m certainly in favour of targets. If you have a target you have to report on it and if you are missing it people will ask why,” he said.“I’m certainly in favour of targets. If you have a target you have to report on it and if you are missing it people will ask why,” he said.