Sussan Ley Responds to Controversial Remarks on Women in the Liberal Party
Federal Opposition Leader defends assertiveness among women following comments from former Liberal president Alan Stockdale.
Sussan Ley, the federal Opposition Leader and the first female leader of the Liberal parliamentary party, has publicly addressed remarks made by Alan Stockdale, the former president of the Liberal Party, during a meeting with female members in New South Wales.
Stockdale, who is part of a three-member federal panel overseeing the NSW Liberal Party, described women in the party as 'assertive' and suggested that there may be a need to 'protect' male members from this assertiveness.
His comments were made during a session of the NSW Liberal Women’s Council on June 4, 2025.
Following the report of these remarks, Ley swiftly issued a statement asserting the value of assertive women within the Liberal Party, stating, "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman; in fact, I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party." Ley emphasized the importance of the party reflecting modern Australian society, which she noted includes recognizing the contributions and leadership of women.
Stockdale had delivered his comments in the context of discussing the need for improved representation of women within the Liberal Party, an initiative that the administrative committee, which includes Stockdale, Richard Alston, and Peta Seaton, had been facilitating after the party's difficulties in candidate nominations for local council elections.
This meeting aimed at fostering consultation on a new party constitution intended to reverse declining membership numbers.
During the session, Stockdale's observations prompted a notable backlash among attendees.
Sources within the meeting stated that his characterization of women as 'too assertive' seemed ill-received, with one attendee highlighting that Stockdale's attempt to elicit humor did not resonate and that the atmosphere became one of disbelief.
Another attendee noted that Stockdale's comments raised concerns about the potential need for 'reverse quotas' to maintain male participation in party activities.
The remarks have ignited discussions around gender representation, assertiveness in leadership roles, and how such dynamics affect party unity and membership, particularly within the context of the Liberal Party's strategic positioning ahead of upcoming elections and its efforts to engage a wider demographic.
Stockdale, who is part of a three-member federal panel overseeing the NSW Liberal Party, described women in the party as 'assertive' and suggested that there may be a need to 'protect' male members from this assertiveness.
His comments were made during a session of the NSW Liberal Women’s Council on June 4, 2025.
Following the report of these remarks, Ley swiftly issued a statement asserting the value of assertive women within the Liberal Party, stating, "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman; in fact, I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party." Ley emphasized the importance of the party reflecting modern Australian society, which she noted includes recognizing the contributions and leadership of women.
Stockdale had delivered his comments in the context of discussing the need for improved representation of women within the Liberal Party, an initiative that the administrative committee, which includes Stockdale, Richard Alston, and Peta Seaton, had been facilitating after the party's difficulties in candidate nominations for local council elections.
This meeting aimed at fostering consultation on a new party constitution intended to reverse declining membership numbers.
During the session, Stockdale's observations prompted a notable backlash among attendees.
Sources within the meeting stated that his characterization of women as 'too assertive' seemed ill-received, with one attendee highlighting that Stockdale's attempt to elicit humor did not resonate and that the atmosphere became one of disbelief.
Another attendee noted that Stockdale's comments raised concerns about the potential need for 'reverse quotas' to maintain male participation in party activities.
The remarks have ignited discussions around gender representation, assertiveness in leadership roles, and how such dynamics affect party unity and membership, particularly within the context of the Liberal Party's strategic positioning ahead of upcoming elections and its efforts to engage a wider demographic.
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