Liberals say ‘all options’ should be considered despite Angus Taylor hosing down gender quota proposal

The Liberal leader, Angus Taylor, said he has never supported gender quotas after a discussion paper raised it among a slew of ideas to help the party refresh its base and improve structures. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Angus Taylor has hosed down a proposal for the Liberal party to consider introducing gender quotas, while one of his senior shadow cabinet ministers has implored the party to act on such ideas with “urgency”.

After a discussion paper that canvassed the idea was circulated to supporters on Wednesday, the party’s leader said he has never been supportive of quotas – shortly before his deputy, Jane Hume, intervened to say all options would be considered.