Australian women have sent a powerful message to the Liberal-National coalition, former high-profile conservative Julie Bishop says.
“(Liberal women) did not see their concerns and interests reflected in a party led by Scott Morrison in coalition with Barnaby Joyce,” she told the Nine Network on Saturday.
A number of mostly female, “teal” independents are on track to roll sitting Liberal MPs, predominantly in inner-city seats, having made climate action and a federal anti-corruption agency the centrepieces of their campaigns.
Seeing female, independent candidates likely to replace MPs in formerly strong Liberal seats sent a powerful message, Ms Bishop said.
“We have not mentioned at this point the impact of Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins, they changed the narrative when they exposed an ugly side to the workplace in Canberra,” Ms Bishop said.
“That resonated with women.”
Yet voters are not only calling for more women in parliament, but a focus on issues that affect 51 per cent of the population every day, former Labor minister Kate Ellis said.
“I would send a message to all the men in the parliament as well: it is your job to advocate for the women out there who are struggling,” she said.
“Australian women are angry and we don’t just want to change the government, change the prime minister, we want to change the agenda and the outcomes and that work will be ongoing no matter who is in government.”
Women have channelled their frustration and anger into changing the face and diversity of the parliament, Australia’s largest alliance of women said.
Equality Rights Alliance convenor Helen Dalley-Fisher told AAP the coalition’s “women problem” was reflected in the vote.
“It’s going to be critical for the incoming government to focus strongly on issues that matter to women,” she said.
“Women in Australia have spoken. It’s time to listen.”
But Liberal senator Jane Hume said the party had pre-selected many female candidates in seats who have not been given a chance by voters.
“One of my great frustrations in all of this was the number of fantastic female candidates that we had ready to go that haven’t made it this time around,” she said.
“I would have loved to have seen them get into Parliament House because I think they would have changed things up.”
