Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie has challenged the comments made by former federal Liberal Party president Alan Stockdale, urging him to “read the room”. At a recent meeting of the NSW Liberal Women’s Council, Stockdale suggested that women in the party were “assertive” and hinted that men might need protection from them in the near future.
In response to Stockdale’s remarks, opposition leader Sussan Ley—the first woman to lead the Liberal Party—defended the role of assertive women in politics. She encouraged women to join the party and stated, “There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman.”
McKenzie joined Ley in condemning Stockdale’s comments, calling them “shocking”. Speaking on a morning show, she expressed that it might be time for Stockdale to reflect with “the old boys” about changing societal norms. She highlighted that women currently make up 45% of the Liberal MPs in NSW, underscoring the growing presence of women in leadership roles.
McKenzie remarked, “We’ve had thousands of years of men running the show. We’ve finally got a foot in the door. We’re coming for you,” affirming the importance of women’s assertiveness in representing their communities. She noted that representation in political institutions must reflect the demographics of society, emphasising the necessity of women being assertive to advocate for their constituencies effectively.
Furthermore, she stressed that the political landscape must adapt to include assertive women, stating, “I think we need more assertive women because we have to fight for the future of our country and our communities.”
Recent changes within the Coalition, including the restructuring of the shadow cabinet and the removal of prominent women from key positions, have also sparked internal criticism, calling into question the party’s commitment to female representation.
In summary, McKenzie and Ley’s statements reflect a pushback against outdated perceptions of women in politics, advocating for assertiveness and equal representation as essential to the future of political discourse and governance in Australia.