Share this @internewscast.com
Labor’s historic number of women candidates played a pivotal role in their decisive election victory, sparking discussions on how the Coalition might improve its gender diversity.
For the first time, female representatives in Labor will outnumber their male colleagues in the lower house, as over 15 new female MPs have contributed to securing 51 of the predicted 92 seats for the major party according to polling firm Redbridge.
There were unexpected victories, including those in Dickson.
New parliamentary members feature Jo Briskey, succeeding former NDIS minister Bill Shorten in Maribyrnong, and Ash Ambihaipahar, who will take over Barton from the retiring former Indigenous Australians minister Linda Burney.
Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher explained to ABC’s RN that this is a reflection of Labor’s persistent efforts towards gender equality over the last 30 years, beginning with their 1994 quota introduction.

“In the Labor Party, every caucus member supports gender equality. That discussion is settled,” Gallagher said on Wednesday.

A list of all the women joining Labor in the 48th Parliament.

An unprecedented number of women will be part of Australia’s parliament, with Labor contributing a significant portion of female MPs to the House of Representatives. Source: SBS News

Labor MPs will join a historic 48th parliament with at least 68 women making up the lower house, an increase from 58 in 2022 and 40 under a Morrison-led government.

However, that number could rise as high as 72 depending on the final results in Bean, Longman, and Monash.
Catherine Hunter, CEO of the Diversity Council of Australia, told SBS News this election marked a major milestone for gender diversity in parliament, with diversity more broadly “essential for a healthy democracy”.
“When people making decisions reflect the diversity of the Australian community, the policies they create are more likely to be more inclusive, more effective, and ultimately, fairer,” she said.
She said lived experience is critical to making decisions, otherwise leaders risk “overlooking or misunderstanding the realities facing huge sections of the population”.

So, how does Australia compare to the rest of the world?

Coalition faces quota pressures as women representation drops

While Labor’s gender diversity continues to grow, the Coalition went backwards at this election.
It elected seven women MPs out of 40, a decrease from nine in 2022. It may be boosted slightly by Gisele Kapterian, if she retains the tightly contested seat of Bradfield in NSW.
This is due to Bridget Archer losing Bass and Jenny Ware losing Hughes, as well as men replacing retiring MPs Karen Andrews in McPherson and Nola Marino in Forrest.
Of the 10 independents currently projected to enter parliament, seven are women.
Former Liberal frontbencher Simon Birmingham argues the Coalition should consider “hard, fast and ambitious” quotas for women in parliament, with representation so low.
“I struggle to think of any alternatives if there’s to be a new direction that truly demonstrates change and truly guarantees that the party will better reflect the composition of modern society,” he said in a post on LinkedIn.
Former Liberal NSW premier Barry O’Farrell said it is important that political parties reflect the community they represent, with more diversity both culturally and in terms of gender.

Pressed on women quotas specifically, he told SBS News the Liberals “need to increase its diversity in all areas”.

A line graph showing how the percentage of women has grown across the major parties over the last five decades.

An unparalleled number of female representatives are about to serve in the federal parliament, marking a significant increase from the 58 women elected to the 47th parliament. Source: SBS News

Michelle Ryan is the director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at The Australian National University.

She told SBS News that alongside quotas, the Coalition needs to consider where it’s placing its women candidates, avoiding the glass cliff.
The glass cliff refers to women being given leadership opportunities during difficult times or times of crises, but in a political context, can refer to being placed in more difficult contests.
“We did an analysis last election and what we saw is that women are more likely than men to be placed in risky and precarious seats, so ones that are basically either unwinnable or difficult to win or hold,” she said.

“They do differ by party as well. For the Coalition, women were much more likely to be in those unwinnable seats.”

A graph showing how the percentage of women in parliament has grown.

Source: SBS News

How does Australia compare to the rest of the world?

Australia does “pretty well relative to its comparators”, according to Ryan.
She said Scandinavian countries such as Finland, which has had three women prime ministers, and Switzerland, which has had five women presidents, often lead perceptions around gender diversity.
However, parliaments like Rwanda, which in 2024 had 50 per cent representation, often surprise the public.
“So that’s partly due to quotas. It’s partly to do with genocide, where many men were killed. So the reasons for representation are often different,” she said.
She said this includes the rise of women to head of state due to marriage or being the daughter of a previous prime minister.
Other countries with at least half of their parliament or lower house made up of women include Cuba, Nicaragua, Andorra, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates, according to UN Women.
UN Women calculates that globally, only 27.2 per cent of parliamentarians in single or lower houses are women, with monarchy-based systems excluded from the count.
Despite a mammoth election year globally in 2024, 107 countries have yet to have a woman as the head of state.

For the latest from SBS News, and .
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Close up of senior man holding one hand on gearshift and other on steering wheel while sitting in his car. Selective focus on hand.

The Complex Guidelines Senior Drivers Must Follow

A fatal car accident in Melbourne involving a 91-year-old driver yesterday has…
A depiction of the new Frenchs Forest town centre.

Northern Sydney Suburb Revitalized: From Brick Pit to Lush Green Oasis

From early brick quarry grit and grime to a new green space,…

Exploring Australia’s Proposed Plan Against Antisemitism

Jillian Segal, Australia’s envoy on antisemitism, has put forth a strategy to…
Carolina Wilga, 26, has been backpacking through Australia for the past two years and works on mines to fund her stay at hostels.

Latest Updates on the Missing Backpacker’s Whereabouts in Western Australia’s Outback

Police discovered the unique Mitsubishi Delica van that the 26-year-old had been…

Family of Detained Palestinian Woman Raises Concerns After Her Australian Visa is Revoked

Relatives of a 62-year-old Palestinian woman who fled Gaza say they have…

Follow-up: Video of Corgi on Apartment Balcony Raises Worries

A corgi has been surrendered and is now in the care of…
Sabrina wanted to make some extra cash but ended up broke.

Sabrina Tried a Popular Side Hustle for Extra Cash, But It Ended Badly

Exclusive: Sabrina wanted to make some extra cash. Chloe* followed other local…

US and NATO to Provide Ukraine with Weapons Ahead of Key Announcement on Russia

Donald Trump has announced that the United States will be providing weapons…
Desmond Avery will stand trial after pleading not guilty to all charges over a deadly home invasion.

Man Refutes Involvement in Home Invasion Resulting in Accomplice’s Death

A man facing charges for a home invasion that resulted in a…
Bluey coin

Bluey Thieves Await Judgment After Stealing 63,000 Coins

Two men are set to spend several months in jail awaiting their…
Trump hand-picks Aussie politician turned 'alpha male' for diplomatic role

Trump Selects Former Australian Politician, Now ‘Alpha Male,’ for Diplomatic Position

A former Sydney councillor, who once faced suspension from the Liberal Party,…
The young faces of unthinkable tragedy

The Innocent Faces Behind Unimaginable Tragedy

Julian Ryan’s final words to his mother as floodwaters quickly engulfed their…